tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51687998419982715342024-03-27T06:37:32.219+00:00dripping with passioncharity eyre wright blog archive 2007-2019charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.comBlogger1166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-24621168511141297092019-06-08T18:00:00.002+01:002019-06-08T18:00:47.098+01:00wright now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGP3CDmgzZfaWIBTQcyShXc8srEDl_1LDPgF-GcF3iWRZyp3oNpO8RDsCjAOBYUpRh-lQuLry2ge6kUz6m8E-ZIhWGVXgJRupFEzSr5arUl38A6vK9KDaHsmfvgshXU-JST1sW4CH5KDP/s1600/4E48505B-B602-4288-AC5E-7CEA365EEC68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGP3CDmgzZfaWIBTQcyShXc8srEDl_1LDPgF-GcF3iWRZyp3oNpO8RDsCjAOBYUpRh-lQuLry2ge6kUz6m8E-ZIhWGVXgJRupFEzSr5arUl38A6vK9KDaHsmfvgshXU-JST1sW4CH5KDP/s640/4E48505B-B602-4288-AC5E-7CEA365EEC68.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />after nearly twelve years (!!) of "dripping with passion," i've moved my blogging over to a different little spot on the internet.<br />
<br />
this blog has been a really valued and really valuable part of my life throughout all those years. i'm so glad i have pictures and thoughts and memories documented and organized. i've made meaningful connections with people all over the world and from so many different walks of life. i've been pushed to think more deeply from comments and conversations here. i've had the opportunity to reflect on what and how i should share and that has been really enriching in a lot of ways. i've been touched by expressions of gratitude and inspiration and encouragement. i love that i've been able to share and learn here.<br />
<br />
and so, i will continue blogging - i'll keep maintaining a family record, and sharing thoughts and beauty that i try to capture. i have zero interest in growing a following or monetizing or driving more traffic. but i do hope this little community will continue, that the meaningful connections will keep happening.<br />
<br />
i've decided to call my new blog "wright now." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(thanks to the blog reader who suggested this!)</span> it will be a chronicling of what's happening with the wright family currently <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ish...i'm sure i'll get behind from time to time! right now i am massively behind!!)</span> and also hopefully a little reminder to live in and savor the right <i>now</i>. because as cheesy and trite as it sounds, i do really believe that there is wonder and magic and goodness all around us in our present, when we look for it.<br />
<br />
the new blog is totally not "ready" - it's currently just on a random default theme and i am planning to design and format it over the next few months. i've published a few posts as i've been digging myself out of a mountain of photos i have to organize from the past few months ... and we'll see how it evolves.<br />
<br />
and that's a wrap on "dripping with passion"!<br />
<a href="https://wrightnowblog.com/">click here to go to "wright now"</a> :)charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-49915008799364958582019-05-15T16:46:00.000+01:002019-05-15T16:47:25.307+01:00some thoughts on a wednesday |52|<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbSLHPhpxINrKAGgwAHgct5qDRcye_6RmPv2myydKOJyV0XZgcH80_huX5DP1rgAwLwNN1XkCBJqvx0m5pL2Mb2ZDx8yJ1zQl_pc_ti3TtjmVu_h6OFNxGMiAflNP1oMjzuUAsvtbTyFV/s1600/okay-your-turn-store.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="750" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbSLHPhpxINrKAGgwAHgct5qDRcye_6RmPv2myydKOJyV0XZgcH80_huX5DP1rgAwLwNN1XkCBJqvx0m5pL2Mb2ZDx8yJ1zQl_pc_ti3TtjmVu_h6OFNxGMiAflNP1oMjzuUAsvtbTyFV/s640/okay-your-turn-store.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">hi! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">this break from blogging has been an interesting experience. the way my photos and thoughts have been piling up, disorganized and unshared, makes me feel anxious. arranging memories and reflections into blog posts helps my mind to un-jumble and my perspective to settle - i miss that exercise. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the past six weeks or so have just been so wild and i haven't been able to devote time to work on a new system for blogging. days and weeks have been full and whipping past. some travel adventures ended up stacked right together - first a long weekend in holland, then a week in dominican republic, then a trip to disneyland and paris right after having ian's parents in town for a visit. it has been amazing ... and also a bit exhausting all in a row! i have been sorting through some kind of concerning health issues and have been trying to not let my spirit break too much with some significant knee issues in my marathon training. work has been wild in new ways for ian, there's been some worries about tiny gabriel's development, and moses is having (an expected but nonetheless stressful!) surgery next week. phew! it's just a crazy time for our family. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i am hoping that, come june, life will even out a little. and i'll dig myself out from under the piled up photos and thoughts and start blogging again (on a new wordpress site, yay). this wednesday, i had some extra nap-time-free-time so i wanted to share some random thoughts to help me to not get toooo far behind! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">seeing the tulip (and, bonus!, hyacinth) fields in holland is something i've had on my bucket list for a long time and it totally exceeded my high expectations. we visited keukenhof, the most jaw-droppingly, literally breathtaking gardens and both biked and drove around the rural flower fields, finding immense treasures. i wish i</span> could bottle up the smell of the hyacinths and the so-vivid-it-kind-of-hurts-your-eyes colours of the tulips. g<span style="font-family: inherit;">od is such an incredible </span>artist, and admiring the varied wonders of the earth teaches me that god loves diversity. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i have been extremely healthy continuously, with very few exceptions, for almost thirty three years. before i started training for a marathon, i assumed that the months leading up to the race would be some of my very healthiest. but actually, i've felt kind of generally crappy physically pretty much since the end of last year. i'm still trying to figure out exactly what is going on, but this experience has made me feel so grateful for the vibrant health i've been lucky to live with all my life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
our boys are just growing and growing. gabriel turned one and is more little boy than baby these days. moses is coming up with all kinds of original ideas, always asking alexa (as in our amazon dot!) questions, and working on writing his name. they are both <i>so much fun</i> and i cannot even handle how crazy much i love them. they adore each other and make each other giggle every day. life as their full-time carer is chaotic and awesome. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
london in bloom is just <i>the best</i>. after the magnolias came the cherry blossoms and the wisteria and there's a treasure of flowers around every corner it seems. when we moved into our flat last october, we liked the vine climbing along the railing and up the side of the building ... but we didn't know it was wisteria until spring came! i was ecstatic. this spring that wisteria vine again brought me so, so much joy. imagine my horror when i left our flat yesterday with the boys in the double buggy to see the vine completely chopped off the railing! they are doing some construction right next door and the workers just hacked it right off. i was talking to moses about my sadness about this and he said, "but mom! there's still some wisteria!" he's right - the vine is still on the side of the building ... and i loved his reminder that even when some is lost it definitely doesn't mean all is lost! :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i have been learning a lot from the experience of having significant knee issues as i've reached the climax of my marathon training. a 12 mile run became 7 in holland when i had a lot of (what was by then recurring) i.t. band tightness. and then i had to stop at mile 11 of an 18 mile run a couple of weeks ago when my right knee was screaming with pain. this was <i>so </i>defeating for me, and it broke my spirit quite a bit. i laid in the bath after getting home, letting tears slide down my cheeks and into the bath water. i have had this marathon goal for so long, have planned my training around babies and jobs, have worked really hard and have been so pumped about it. as the weeks have continued to pass and the pain has continued to persist, i have explored lots of different advice, have visited several physical therapists, and have petitioned god earnestly for guidance and strength. now, two and a half weeks from the race, i have acknowledged that my run will very likely not look the way i hoped and envisioned. and i have acknowledged, after some mental work, that that's okay. there's a lot of paradoxical power in letting go. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i can't say enough how much i <i>love love love</i> my childhood friend <a href="http://caitlinconnolly.com/">caitlin connolly</a>'s artwork. every time i visit <a href="http://caitlinconnolly.com/">her website</a> i find new pieces that touch me so deeply. the sketch at the top of this post is a perfect depiction of what our family life feels like often these days. in the past few weeks have felt a lot like "leaning against something unknown":</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotsi_jhS76RVq0f-qYA_-AxE9QPuQWsuHOi0GagAbukshBkNkkXgHiFSBbttjJssxpSf7vmGjsXmhwfhW5HfbpUMANAlyqvCl6Kf0AfychazX_ruhPHXu1XXnCm73XwVvEJxEzyBZYeoT/s1600/leaning-against-something-unknown.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotsi_jhS76RVq0f-qYA_-AxE9QPuQWsuHOi0GagAbukshBkNkkXgHiFSBbttjJssxpSf7vmGjsXmhwfhW5HfbpUMANAlyqvCl6Kf0AfychazX_ruhPHXu1XXnCm73XwVvEJxEzyBZYeoT/s640/leaning-against-something-unknown.gif" width="586" /></a></div>
but i've been trying to be "a willing woman," turning to heaven for inspiration:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvdd_D75UGE13pZEn380Ca9-BWwcc3LnPIyMMNkRuQvzd4rNQzbE8DFviBUnwtnaNPsqyTUrhcxgaQsiYSGxSi8Whcmx1Ll2GNidO-_aiQhP5FSEr_AKleOEnqIpsIMgDp5NiJAbPYkbx/s1600/a-willing-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvdd_D75UGE13pZEn380Ca9-BWwcc3LnPIyMMNkRuQvzd4rNQzbE8DFviBUnwtnaNPsqyTUrhcxgaQsiYSGxSi8Whcmx1Ll2GNidO-_aiQhP5FSEr_AKleOEnqIpsIMgDp5NiJAbPYkbx/s640/a-willing-woman.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and attempting to "stand with my burdens placed under my feet," looking with hope and light toward the future:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaOKCKzW5grv2DG-peg958pZekgRyIB-ZDAWy8YUX0F4O1WPX_L7RoY_6O8eZhr1TjJtCgueLXQmfeR33C75Iby748DNsRDuClHrdzfdf3-2YJzgU1zymY24GJy81qfckgChWZ4ndb-0v/s1600/burdens-under-feet-print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="750" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaOKCKzW5grv2DG-peg958pZekgRyIB-ZDAWy8YUX0F4O1WPX_L7RoY_6O8eZhr1TjJtCgueLXQmfeR33C75Iby748DNsRDuClHrdzfdf3-2YJzgU1zymY24GJy81qfckgChWZ4ndb-0v/s640/burdens-under-feet-print.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the week we spent in the dominican republic with my parents and siblings, to celebrate my parents' <i>fiftieth</i> anniversary, was pretty dreamy. truly - it honestly feels like a surreal <i>dream</i> looking back on. it was so wonderful to be with people we love so much and to enjoy golden sun and the warm teal sea and a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
my angel mother-in-law watched our kids while we were on that trip. we could never, ever thank her enough for that incredible gift. moses and gabriel had a blast with grandma and we didn't worry about them for a second. grandpa joined the party after we returned to london and it was so great to have ian's parents here with us for a week. they are leaving in july for a three year church mission. so glad we got that precious time in with them before they go! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i've been listening to michelle obama's book on my runs and when doing housework. i've found it so fascinating and engaging. ian and i rewatched the movie <i>about time</i> a couple weeks ago, and by the end i was sobbing. such a great, inspiring film. we went to the musical <i>come from away</i> last month and by the end of <i>that</i> we were <i>both</i> crying. we absolutely loved it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
two things that i think are totally worth the hype: disneyland, and paris. we thoroughly enjoyed both last week. it was <i>so fun</i> see the wonder in our boys' eyes at disneyland, and i just love paris more every time i go there (i loved it to start, and now i'm head over heels).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i've been writing the last bit of this post over a long period of time because both boys are now awake and i'm interrupted about every twenty seconds ;) so that's it for now ... i hope to be back soon! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
xoxo</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-31752863565901497092019-04-03T11:16:00.003+01:002019-04-03T11:16:55.176+01:00an undesired blogging break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh3ZPEEXZUP1Yzyh7cEQz3gbqr3MFuwN9kxXzd-L5i4vLVvN3sRq5Oy2d0Kx2JsivLkRphyphenhypheni9lkK-awSEUiLQTGDPhckDO1RsOjO3eR-J10LI4MT2PxGQqLtHj1ZDED7NLolz2fwHd_DV/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh3ZPEEXZUP1Yzyh7cEQz3gbqr3MFuwN9kxXzd-L5i4vLVvN3sRq5Oy2d0Kx2JsivLkRphyphenhypheni9lkK-awSEUiLQTGDPhckDO1RsOjO3eR-J10LI4MT2PxGQqLtHj1ZDED7NLolz2fwHd_DV/s640/IMG_0715.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
because of some changes with how <i>blogger</i> works as a blogging platform, i won't be posting here for a while. i need to figure out a new way to do this because <i>blogger</i> won't allow me to format blog posts in the way that i want to (to preserve layout and photo quality). i will likely be switching to <i>wordpress</i>, and with that probably doing the blog "rebrand" i've been meaning to do for ages.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i'm frustrated by this and also hate the feeling of getting so behind in organising my photos and thoughts! while i sort it all out, i'll continue to post a bit on <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/charityeyrewright/?hl=en">instagram</a>,</i> if you want to keep following along with our family's adventures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">if there's anyone out there with <i>blogger/wordpress,</i> html, or graphic design expertise that they want to share, <br />shoot me an email! {charityeyre@gmail}</span></div>
<br />charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-75811137999309232222019-03-14T09:16:00.003+00:002019-03-25T14:47:58.342+00:00ten thoughts from a wednesday |51|<img alt="IMG 1407 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywJAV569JpLbRp3IBv-HqDP7te5c6SQP8B2dN8ZMf5TdJQ3f38xldthABL1ozJ2HfP4cDKaU16L9E-CJn2V9l7DMB6ztM78KKEJeh2YhWPKbORo52kOjoq2CUQyTqfFNioFoo5e76FRu1/s0/IMG_1407-2.jpg" title="IMG_1407-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0915 2" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnqmL3bODj0fKuR8fw5W46qVxrU8Hz1ug55-loqv5djlCejPwXb_q5eS_MEgtzj5FM-RslNS8QrRIMzKPOqFlugofZ10bOl6o7I35o17SHFFZGu2ZtREnKfuqsJEoF-eNTbSBz7CB6Ro6/s0/IMG_0915-2.jpg" title="IMG_0915-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 6974 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDzG-Mx4nyiuJOr967ZQ49j3dnUngtuF3EqoBegPJe0sMUfoPME2qk2Vguj7daQ6EUa1WWh7I_hhH69NDAWpQ0T9IzQROt8xrOeT5VwZhW8BaxMbuk2iraVupq6PAKB_y_prz2q0edYIk/s0/IMG_6974-2.jpg" title="IMG_6974-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0821 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGpcwX2T8RCLTVSaR-gQoE_hDJAtI3iMujZwEP_zxA1ep9CYQIiqdpAmu3IIOTrHbJtqejdKwKCIQ0Nlqp6NWKL7Vu-ZpUv7PVR_vPU8GG-m2sFubWbcMdvj87riYrPZMGhqKqPbYGgtT/s0/IMG_0821-2.jpg" title="IMG_0821-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
here's ten thoughts that i didn't <i>quite</i> get around to writing out and publishing yesterday. and a crazy amount of pictures of magnolia trees around london, because i just can't get enough. a couple of days ago on a walk home, moses shouted, "mommy! there's a magnolia tree! you <i>love</i> magnolia trees!" :)<br />
<br />
one.<br />
thanks for the comments back on <a href="http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2019/02/wright-brothers-lately.html">this post</a> when i asked for thoughts about sharing details about my children online. i really appreciated the different perspectives shared, and i think it's a really interesting discussion. ian and i will continually be carefully considering what is best for our family, all things considered. the internet has changed so much about human life ... it's crazy.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0919 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUm2Rn7n2DK_k0snWl4lQYP4SxgPdFzvGUPCOvh4Iauyz59zJSizmvtgc57OATUWpKTO7A_bt_1BT5NvOdx8iCAxwx6NgW1NMapz8h02cDJskCPWQwdsLEMktVD4QEuph7ANITMjrqmgd/s0/IMG_0919-2.jpg" title="IMG_0919-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0926 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodWF3PVB_zaLqUPeABXa3eJbQM1VP5GxrfSwMPfBqQu-n_8zLCbN2N3duxZ4O4nbCyRlEiBokaByL6nbnVzuK2YCqqK9AyJ90eNgZkiXXv4-PpGmVAKZiBbK37oxQXlFznQGAPtdcmCIY/s0/IMG_0926-2.jpg" title="IMG_0926-2.jpg" width="323" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">moses loves going to the grocery store, riding in the cart, and then playing in the little green recycling truck toy they have there. this week gabriel came inside the truck for the first time, while mo ate a snack of his absolute favourite food - mango.</span><br />
<img alt="IMG 0948 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBqUGjusnx0it9AmFfQ7guVwJSjdh3R-kV0ptisDb0ycWleguooOlva2qjC8OSvW-kUNls8i17qehMz1_7fV5x5dHACbGbwITNBRf5gZk4iuXaZA7mzHbO_gIdNVD4WfWLQYUMNtSwRsl/s0/IMG_0948-2.jpg" title="IMG_0948-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0940 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdF0IzW68MVT2zQdWbjohgx9IDz9fybvQYICAyjOwWxhZE3j5StbD4EqLWXNp5wg55bDwRiBRDM1BHYrq6lP6iuPpsUA9RrKEOTvF1nNng_mE9jwelw2EB-_FF482Enr1cLSw2_K5OQjL/s0/IMG_0940-2.jpg" title="IMG_0940-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
two.<br />
on a related topic, i've been thinking about screen time a lot lately - for myself and for my children. (my interest in this topic led me to collect some information from fellow parents via instagram stories recently.) i feel like both growing up and parenting today is so different than it was a generation ago because of the ubiquitousness of screens, and i really want to be deliberate in how to handle that. we have a pretty firm no screens policy for our kids (with a big fat exception for airplanes), which i feel good about for now, but i am <i>not </i>a very good example in my own screen time. (i feel like i mention my phone addiction so often in my ten thoughts posts...do i sound like a broken record?!) i need to find a way to both accept that it's all a work in progress <i>and</i> be really determined to be better.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0944 2" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX1RIP6clmXs2E-tO3F3fHt4tM71f8hdbx-1VJ5Eevv5djH6wc8fx9mC0hLLJG8-6RxtC5y2PdHDDLnP_UzgxZbzmsmZKCVdSDFB1brAWtjDAfh-WR9iv5RV-OWc3NBdAqFzFyxoBMFS5/s0/IMG_0944-2.jpg" title="IMG_0944-2.jpg" width="650" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">i love to spy on the boys on my way home from the gym or a run in the mornings. look at these three happy guys! sooo glad they are mine. </span><br /><img alt="IMG 0895 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi147U-rqHdwMi9S2KUPbcOd8uBjb6mtmlS59MrP-a0-52ZjH9-HzR7yWvljPkMjf243FXayLPSCaJIBFhfg9fmjHsRpCy_k0jiyZE6tdqhtLyZmg8fQGJefW5pdx9_aO3-eJCjznWEAUYO/s0/IMG_0895-2.jpg" title="IMG_0895-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0898 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMUurUa0RxwYr6eHeIovxGaZlFp_YUmb4kjJL7zkQK77b2zt5R6V1SzpfFK7q4L4N1evhShUilJXeEbceQOt16lwwsg7dAcwMhtjvr-Sigd2m5NBAl-nyV6uzCWxL3ZgO3Y9MylIxJgul/s0/IMG_0898-2.jpg" title="IMG_0898-2.jpg" width="323" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">the natural history museum is one of my all-time favourite buildings in the world. i love it for the architecture. obsessed-with-animals moses loves it for the taxidermy :) </span><br />
<br />
three.<br />
i have been <i>loving</i> the new "<a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/come-follow-me">come, follow me</a>" program that our church has introduced in 2019. it is set up so well for family and individual study, along with community study at church. we have a little "sunday lesson" every sabbath morning and moses is always sooo pumped for it. (the <a href="https://www.lds.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-primary-new-testament-2019/intro?lang=eng">primary manual</a> has so many great activity ideas that we use!) then ian and i have a little study session after the kids are in bed on sunday evenings.<br />
one thing i've been thinking about lately in our study of the new testament is how paradoxical christ's teachings are.<br />
<br />
four.<br />
i can<i>not</i> believe that gabriel is nearly eleven months old. it all goes by even faster the second time around. he's almost one. what!!! his first birthday falls on easter, which i think is pretty cool. gabey has been pulling up to standing at <i>every</i> opportunity and i think he might be an earlier walker than moses was. we will see!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 1325 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0y8g8f8vihq6UlbLnjEfUBwStwBzY6i_V26lI6Sp_av09qhlLUAJKisuqxbCWsmfONsbICA10vOG1jJG47Lku5TGcL0E0eA6T_P9HLXQkZYGuJoVI6IXy57_SfaxbmeLizz9Ce4Adhyphenhyphenmg/s0/IMG_1325-2.jpg" title="IMG_1325-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1423 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp1DdjchXH7Xi1V67zS1_PtitMVl7xy_div5mwmxzH9DQ-rffBoIMtjuDeWOUetTWl1JxUXSXi8wZh8m9MQe0Fje-uRk70Hc8l-ko7jTnoRrYe-P2whZf864x6v8E5ge5YRXkX5iJyYp-/s0/IMG_1423-2.jpg" title="IMG_1423-2.jpg" width="323" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">mo is pretty much constantly giving his little brother hugs. and has come to <i>adore</i> his weekly music class - especially the bubbles at the end!</span><br />
<img alt="IMG 0903 2" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKDB0OS34Rwnje-kbFlTO5FdidYGyW9tj1nqnx6Kpg5r3qmYOiHK6tmzhT_2slQ2eESpX5mBJESuBqI-6I7Mv6P8Ur65WB_USzGlGl3goSNjMUSdLHH7q8ryyxWQHYeWdv4TMvvym2ChR/s0/IMG_0903-2.jpg" title="IMG_0903-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0964 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaho8WptR4HSDRze4oe-Ha968_lJFkDZHxpdnJDg4zlL6lxrI-mFK-g5W3Or6NgCqdj0zie2F6DTSGKm_v-8F92fAO_xmEoohYzl7Ej-d_V0hRCt8u-Ga5Rdd55DTTLd0jlvUJEEXE-Og/s0/IMG_0964-2.jpg" title="IMG_0964-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
five.<br />
have i ever mentioned how much i love <a href="https://valuesparenting.com/joy-school/">joy school</a>? ha! it's just the best, and i'm so so grateful that moses and i have been able to do it over the past six months with dear friends.<br />
last sunday we had a little first-term joy school graduation. a couple of our little friends cannot continue with the second term, and we wanted to celebrate them before they leave our group for nursery school. we gathered all the families together and had a cute little ceremony and then had some time to play all together. it was so wonderful.<br />
one of the moms (who has taken the lead in organizing our joy school group) gave a little talk to kick off the graduation gathering. she explained that over the past six months the kids have learned about lots of "joys": the joy of the earth, the joy of the body, the joy of honesty and communication, the joy of order and goals, and the joy of sharing and service. but, she said, the biggest "joy" we have learned about is the joy of <i>friendship</i>. this is so true. it has been <i>so</i> fun to watch these little boys and girls become such loving friends and discover how friends make life so great.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 7023 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAR2NpaMERkT9Gossv3dT9TemjRxyDrI_nn4ghpYcIxNVRCwYpa7CZO173rIJCNMCg7YfDhB7e7fjxwSIhuEYna9Ul5bc1DtoIyiidhT4PlGbsvViIydt05vLDv8ytaVUQ-U36mKbMEpx/s0/IMG_7023-2.jpg" title="IMG_7023-2.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 7024 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f5wEtd23tDlNHijaZ2Y_MlX8s-3pi5xQjJStbxY-V1SUHIjIBrU3LNseFDhWrKXfFNaeETTbI5otLlErEhocjb7REx4fHLRCA9IoNnbhrcvIp6N2wM9lCFGe4EJ7PBPSgKbOd6iUMsPH/s0/IMG_7024-2.jpg" title="IMG_7024-2.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="6bf43966 f72c 4cef 9f6f 54ccda6e7f93 2" border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov_XqEKfBqF-gABAf-fR-KOKxlQF995F6QYlqS5qaiT4kHOcUrPLpzZ8DPwihHvc0d37X-VmyJin7AFJv1xC9XwAZNVlIQoEMAMOd9s9EKzOZuQU99KCXPTzT9dhb3XYQvxq1yOkJw5-9/s0/6bf43966-f72c-4cef-9f6f-54ccda6e7f93-2.jpg" title="6bf43966-f72c-4cef-9f6f-54ccda6e7f93-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
six.<br />
i have recently switched from using picasa to lightroom for editing photos. it's a whole new system and process and i'm definitely riding a learning curve. there's <i>soooo</i> many options and details with photo editing (i'm still not even sure which version of lightroom i want to use!). while i don't want to spend a whole ton of time on this, i <i>am</i> interested in developing some skills in this area. if you know any great lightroom tutorials, let me know! ;)<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0824 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpcbDqPPqAFLfMGDo-dLh21WjJcT0w17AcPXpsvXEzBeYRevfzuALqQqn0dydIZMKA3i1Vh40k7xpGJ9rATWXxgdngXPp4l9na1GpG7K3KAOIMjoUylc6mz-E5j2DXQQlnTeFrmeOCBq-/s0/IMG_0824-2.jpg" title="IMG_0824-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0984 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitBwRq44SP7PhQCu5Xrau0j2WyuhNJ9K3ZKzAcGMzzmTycZBveHQ1m5B5aZsgKlTFu-pn2JUe5Iv5yQvA2JQ8kdgwRFjs-yGFQxJ9dH_dhf4MFc8fdNlA3ehPUfx8DfxrzeIZJKIqdzX8/s0/IMG_0984-2.jpg" title="IMG_0984-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
seven.<br />
i feel lucky to be a part of a great community of moms here in london, thanks in most part to the church. we have a whatsapp group of about fifty moms where we are often exchanging tips and organizing get togethers. there's also a lot of sharing of baby/kid clothes/gear going on, which i <i>love</i>. after having lots of one-off meetups to pass things off (both for borrowing and keeping) with different moms, a few weeks ago i thought it might make sense for us to all get together in one place with our donate piles and have a little swap meet party! it turned out to be a really fun evening that turned into a late night gab-fest after all the clothes and toys and etc were sorted, and everyone went home with some goods. so grateful for community.<br />
<br />
eight.<br />
usually, when i drop moses off at joy school, i hustle to a nearby coffee shop (with gabriel sleeping in the buggy) and pretty frantically try to get stuff done on my computer. last week, though, i decided spontaneously to drop that plan for a day and treat myself to a walk through notting hill while the baby snoozed. that was good for my soul. here's a few snapshots from along portobello road:<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 1270 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFkH-ObJYPFNSWs9YWEsUrqy9NNvq85Of2rg08YsMlQgkmYhvYrI9En-srw1T39HZLa_0RiSzCnPhxraBxt1V_6W7D2p3soabmKcFJnEVTxjvr1-DXBPRqZ880yU2SNMXtsp80BNGmaak/s0/IMG_1270-2.jpg" title="IMG_1270-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 1282 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMJvw-AJ9-hmkitX9BHhi-XiZAtHtSpdbEAql6sXoY-Vu4jg371LHhLBVP9xYNyP2Fdk4Y2HohcMuee8HGdtE6y6VSc_bMwNBy-DaNVtGmoP5xxkqS2WcprWFWOJr6HfWazvSA9Z9Hgs-/s0/IMG_1282-2.jpg" title="IMG_1282-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1288 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMaOznHFsNe6q94eRKpuKiYq5Ta5cwGbgleV5OQG27roFazfNAhyphenhyphenQbKWnZ-Z1iNv2Hj6o5OSBdkFxPukugRALrvWBTgstjJujihumViooaTbMttQpWzUFKoqbE-Bn8vWhCPriui1XOQkF/s0/IMG_1288-2.jpg" title="IMG_1288-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 1291 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGAb_CGRUDPXEEgY9SjlpRyzRFctWs7BQN4Jy3Vp45FIk6S-E2lB5gspGJGOp1vj11hWUAG8ftdSbLz1jnyufs5zFZrYFG37pjWpQEtmXjeFstik-B6Vm6YUQij0rThMbNPrDXE6d05qz/s0/IMG_1291-2.jpg" title="IMG_1291-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1303 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsLB1MiK1JDcdU9NcCYTFiFwx5XKkpmCyVdtK12GEZf1gwCypNDgkO9Mqf3518CeRu9PELSHKDtHV8vhD3qFKq-Zn1Gj-Kae-Iky3R5PLs7TzHLffTyxTxWDa46YfuBGTDN6Ag2KsE4bY/s0/IMG_1303-2.jpg" title="IMG_1303-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 1293 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdRnVkCJvsbHaaOhTE2kiEvpidxhEMi9ORktVgU7ifzuKZy34IIm_aPMKh5wxRRgun1hEbx1mnwzjR8zq6NEOmtvdj3FDUnK_hhm8CyS-G9M3Mf_4Uoh3g7Yrn38xbR2I0TVtMYN-27Hq/s0/IMG_1293-2.jpg" title="IMG_1293-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1296 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEGpdftqfZ6O9cO3VtEqeG7Gjw4z35ugnDi48fRZ2vzCZWrq6YFtSF6fGva6SNBsytE5oWOHGPE44_RhJjlpvHgcs9icrsX4PzOifzstePwCm0Q3pw0AIQKF2tuIuz-2f-dCL7_4OAoP2/s0/IMG_1296-2.jpg" title="IMG_1296-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1299 2" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVUM6rjwSvsWoRfk0BE4trumq3u2IzMFSAzGu4yVonmSSkneWPZJUYxYpha05iLgcfNNu1VX9Y-HPDT_s_LeZ4lKPfznzxiXF70YUIEiVWy_HXAaMjPqgXbvB7C0m1p2jpIqvLlwMuGza/s0/IMG_1299-2.jpg" title="IMG_1299-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 1307 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyl8dGaFZ4ygojV7ebml2-iB7zsjSHT6Lfo54yEhepLZzTB3Ts6O8AHLwyQ6qLG84uYkqfTjD-r6XEfbYQaP-0snl9VVzNHhy5uSa1dsU95QL_7hJnFR9rntZLfc1B1e2aWTsTFbFJv1L/s0/IMG_1307-2.jpg" title="IMG_1307-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1314 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_t0xTc7PX7JprF0AhsyfaJ8biADaFD4ojvesv9ZEpXyC4pVjACGznr0ThwiNFNYFWe_KxqiFw2Tn_7BIf7i3c9RJEnJAGZ58TPGvaLYNFQr360oDAi4uHL8IfmMZpiZQqbPlPa2jI7Hn/s0/IMG_1314-2.jpg" title="IMG_1314-2.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 1278 2" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6nHyG656lno1nLbDwt0d_VyqKWgmfjO6GwGLj8Xomx98Gf5BrcLnewDglbZYxVVJkfyto_i8BNh_-bc9uKXqltiSAbod_oTw5P_-k4IBcy17Ze9a_EHVX8s4w3hMpBN8M1xCEzwrhwyQ/s0/IMG_1278-2.jpg" title="IMG_1278-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
nine.<br />
my sister-in-law told me this past week that her parenting mantra lately is, "he only has half a brain." that's definitely been going through my head as well recently! and my mom sent me an email the other day that said, "remember, just like a baby has to learn to move their arms, a toddler has to learn to control their will."<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 1323 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe2bYj9lqMjyTUdaZkBa5-tIE5a5P6AjQyhmFuHy0R6cG-mHO1Dgd_sORmlQ8OM-4NBiVL4CECc65lWzPPUNPWyDq8cp4L2kRdhcRFk4fPjhz5MatKsZ-SkLnMz3RM-9V67QSZwiYRNNP/s0/IMG_1323-2.jpg" title="IMG_1323-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1388 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcIDQjPjXnlbsB3vAbIlqxQSHezrLKg8BRXSf6SxqDYfu3gDBVB4Gk4tz4y_McNQYN5XVv6ba26gKvFJc2CPub22xiXEXQWlGCU_4gCEJS9OC3loPWxOUBye8rGK3LLqdlNhJZShZ-M7k/s0/IMG_1388-2.jpg" title="IMG_1388-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 1393 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSSQagUuVK6LT9J4AJm_2O8YnryvusBDOcksg3Ol-XuoKcaQQQFFFTQO1aPR2K7dgKhyphenhyphenFynjaq44FAQGLk9alulWWTuPKBdKUxsFjpgHKEMlJLbhgSiLxroY0f7bJIYl-eTUwDRIfO1VU/s0/IMG_1393-2.jpg" title="IMG_1393-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1432 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1TbOb8xqEynrDUkqT7K4WCsryuIW-_PU3hcnuYTQ_uYXHJglBb49cJHPeSaUMi5B_Bez2dK_iB6tELw5vrASswpHsRGr3UoxG1AKcqFl8jzQebzoIwM0PkaZ6U5PU4JsmUAvHr1-IMKu/s0/IMG_1432-2.jpg" title="IMG_1432-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0976 2" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ibbV68SHaly2o5qdugsM9rHC6XY3JeW59WNpe51ANGt8aAMDQzZzkIcR7Ya47RIRhYmmSdDHNoHWfw0CAHRn2St_brIX5vAMw1PwqyaLeavDMJqP1JmPxitEB1MiktTzLhLIJPDBK28U/s0/IMG_0976-2.jpg" title="IMG_0976-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
ten.<br />
last saturday i ran a half marathon! i have run two halves before, and both times i felt sooo exhilarated all thirteen miles, and genuinely loved every minute. year, not this time. it was really, really windy and the course was just six and a half laps around a not-very-scenic park. i hadn't slept very well the week leading up to the race and probably also hadn't eaten enough to properly fuel my body. by mile nine i was huuuurting. but...i made it to that finish line! i didn't beat my previous half-marathon time, which i thought would be cool to do, but i did finish in under two hours, which i was happy about. now i just need to run at least that far about a half a dozen more times and then twice that far in about eleven weeks in stockholm. eeeeeek!<br />
as i ran last saturday, through the exhaustion, i felt just so grateful for my healthy body and my beautiful life.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 6983 2" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYyVyfAavbrNpfLoBI9aTcs7CW8Fv4qWRUiF5Y-M6IRIkYEa6sL6VHzHl7FtefaGVHDJEX2lC_QhvCK3lrKYkRtjWN01lIiMziCjGOpa_Wnos2trAmIdLmZc-8LpoIlmdS8w0Ef39xurH/s0/IMG_6983-2.jpg" title="IMG_6983-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6986 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLpwpAJ8M-t4G-stk35w_wIoCMjZM5qLZahLwrlZ7S7h0v9zIR-Cd_8kzcHfU5nmQKvWlcHlG9Fzu0X18jzM6JpMNBQxPi0p5Bw7UFfw-Jl6yGT0tuaObJaGG8F1dKIO45V3HYUHlVpBC/s0/IMG_6986-2.jpg" title="IMG_6986-2.jpg" width="323" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">the only good part about a race route that goes around and around in circles is that it makes it easy for spectactors to see their favourite runners several times throughout the race! :) mo was super excited when he saw me coming this time ^^ (i'm the runner in all black in the distance)</span><br />
<img alt="IMG 1392 2" border="0" height="869" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5El49qjuKBki5_ckqlDx5ogfGCfytnS_oe5I2PF9MLik2xhrfr6uJIEjTscbU7QQ34VK4Hsy4gQb3MUOhST2lcEkn5laEn0T0jN9pkknl1Xqh3mOUHfHdxl5mw3s4-FK78aFKUj3EEiP6/s0/IMG_1392-2.jpg" title="IMG_1392-2.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 1402 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcjWSfvvcsmFFFYuacZ6RqK54zUONfdKFnateCaALQxFL7M6aKr8e1QYQk5a9wJliU8BKyCRKvdf1FFG-0R2WVQ7TOyGJvn0KQp3XD9B5IrPSw-Eaherto1P19S0K-HPZV_b0hHQ_bjts/s0/IMG_1402-2.jpg" title="IMG_1402-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 1443 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJL1QeBIcOBCTCI8DvPrGcJ-MM9LcVj6cgC3OcPeQvXpUjuDLCWBT9qrScPgImcDfIoZZLNRcVSaaevKv5ft_q7qsmnrhYkb0MxkkPKd6XVFD3Y8KhgTrQtouf86bjhtjt4uBI8ktRW1f/s0/IMG_1443-2.jpg" title="IMG_1443-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
happy <strike>wednesday</strike> thursday!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-78854906753554929132019-03-08T09:00:00.000+00:002019-03-25T14:48:03.679+00:00Traveling on Points {guest post by Ian}<div dir="ltr" id="m_-7111155379869642064gmail-m_-2659475394101479954docs-internal-guid-8622b578-7fff-ed57-fd43-b57ecd355879" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hey, it's Ian.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="m_-7111155379869642064gmail-m_-2659475394101479954docs-internal-guid-8622b578-7fff-ed57-fd43-b57ecd355879" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="m_-7111155379869642064gmail-m_-2659475394101479954docs-internal-guid-8622b578-7fff-ed57-fd43-b57ecd355879" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve never written on here before, and I have no clue about any of the rules of blogging or writing - I’m a numbers guy. But Charity mentioned one of the questions she gets asked most is how we finance our vacations with points and get sweet deals. When it comes to trip planning, that's my domain. So I'm writing a guest post.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To cut to the chase, the primary answer to how we get points and deals for travel is: credit cards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoouv1f8hP1jqNPBIertH0Pd7RjyOb3Qq1GiXZruZA19zqbHqSBpEbVya4bS6Zf06DfTE15dv37JkDyf3e_eC9MpVmPZ7Q0gGjN2kGi7p4e_CjUbluBmNAFIgOtDF7WnptA9ZEgp5FkKO/s1600/IMG_9607%255B13%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoouv1f8hP1jqNPBIertH0Pd7RjyOb3Qq1GiXZruZA19zqbHqSBpEbVya4bS6Zf06DfTE15dv37JkDyf3e_eC9MpVmPZ7Q0gGjN2kGi7p4e_CjUbluBmNAFIgOtDF7WnptA9ZEgp5FkKO/s640/IMG_9607%255B13%255D.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sure, on a lot of credit cards you get one “point” (for example: airline mile, hotel point, transferable "ultimate rewards" point, etc) for every dollar you spend with the credit card. And in some categories for some cards (like gas, restaurants, etc) you get 2, 3 or even 10 times points for every dollar you spend. But the real mass of our point collection has come from <u>credit card sign up bonuses</u>. With most credit cards, there is a large number of points awarded when you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of having the card.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sign up bonuses allow for much quicker and more efficient accrual of points than regular matching spending deals. For example, right now the Marriott Bonvoy credit card gives 100,000 points after you receive the card and then meet minimum spending requirements. I would need to spend $100,000 with the credit card to otherwise earn these points (abstracting from any bonus categories). We don’t have this card currently (it just got rebranded, FYI) but just as an example - you get the picture. The boost from bonuses dwarves the points you get from the day to day spending - especially if you are trying to be budget conscious as we are, so you don’t really want to spend much on a day to day basis.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s not to say you shouldn’t take the daily spending points earned where you can get them. And being aware of the <u>bonus categories</u> for different credit cards can be pretty huge. For example, hotel credit cards usually provide bonuses when you spend money <i>at</i> their hotels. One time I found myself booked in a Marriott for a few nights for work. I was going to be reimbursed and so I booked it on my Marriott card, which meant I got insane rewards per dollar spent. All told, the time I spent staying at this hotel (paid for by someone else) resulted in roughly one free night for me at some future date at a nice place because I used the right credit card. </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition, credit cards of certain airlines or hotel chains often come with some type of <u>status</u>, and this can also be huge. This stuff always happens to me by accident because I usually determine the card I will get by the bonus, not by the status ... but it is good to be aware of. On our most recent trip to Tenerife, for example, the status we had (because we had a credit card connected to the hotel chain we were staying at) resulted in an amazing suite upgrade that probably would have cost into the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. We never would have paid outright for that upgrade, but the resort was happy to give it to us on the basis on our "platinum" status because they were at 40 percent capacity at that time. We also got free breakfast at an amazing breakfast buffet every morning, just because we had a credit card with the hotel chain. Most hotels and airlines are good about reminding you what status you have, and its implications, but it’s good to know in case they forget. Terms and conditions obviously apply. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5Yb0WDCZUYIOGFy0gXt9pWziehr0zMpu5pCPlh5wvYd8A6bVW-qyDhdLpb8qtWbEvSf8zIkh62v2Bp2xjYMIX3ficTojthQRSjAkbOKDOHBzlRTyzdQlwMN7wB6I6ocRCbN0a63no9ua/s1600/tenerife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1300" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5Yb0WDCZUYIOGFy0gXt9pWziehr0zMpu5pCPlh5wvYd8A6bVW-qyDhdLpb8qtWbEvSf8zIkh62v2Bp2xjYMIX3ficTojthQRSjAkbOKDOHBzlRTyzdQlwMN7wB6I6ocRCbN0a63no9ua/s640/tenerife.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of the credit cards we have used, for illustration, are:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chase Ritz Carlton card (no longer available): a few free nights as a sign-up/minimum spend bonus, elite status, travel expense and Global Entry enrollment reimbursement, other benefits. It does have a hefty annual fee to be aware of though (we strategically decided it was worth it for us). We used the free nights to stay in <a href="http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2017/04/entering-red-square.html">Moscow</a>, <a href="http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2017/04/our-dream-date.html">Half Moon Bay</a>, and <a href="http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2019/02/vacation.html">Tenerife</a>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chase Hyatt card: annual free anniversary night, great sign-up bonus, status, and other benefits, with a much lower annual fee. We used our Hyatt bonuses (we both got the card) for our stay in the <a href="http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2017/02/arriving-at-hadahaa-island.html">Maldives</a>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chase Southwest Credit Cards (there are multiple): we used these to get a great bonus and the bonuses helped us to reach the companion pass, which allows a free companion ticket for EVERY flight a person goes on in almost up to two years. This might be the best deal in the credit card world. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chase Sapphire cards: allow you to earn Ultimate Rewards points which can be used with various different airline and hotel chains.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are others we have liked, but this gives you a sense. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g_Mji3Tll_otRGQF01f4dGECyWIxS9n8oGucMzLWCwweXmadLFYBUWkmKyIB2FXNYXzXFKigZ6YM_PpzY2EMhut6IdZIG4HaW-dgg5CDr990xzW4K0dkaggX2aHOFP2O03lGh7jPmfuX/s1600/halfmoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g_Mji3Tll_otRGQF01f4dGECyWIxS9n8oGucMzLWCwweXmadLFYBUWkmKyIB2FXNYXzXFKigZ6YM_PpzY2EMhut6IdZIG4HaW-dgg5CDr990xzW4K0dkaggX2aHOFP2O03lGh7jPmfuX/s640/halfmoon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I said credit cards are the “primary answer” because we also do a decent amount of homework to get good deals, plan in advance to get cheaper flights, etc. There are loads of times we go on holiday and don’t use points to pay for something. <span style="color: red;"> </span>Of course there are also basics things that can help with point accrual, like always putting down your frequent flyer mile number when you book something, or being aware of loyalty clubs that hotel or rental car chains have. We also try to take advantage of random <u>promotions/partnerships</u> that travel companies do. For example, one time Scandinavian airlines had a promotion with Hertz: rent a car and get 10,000 airline miles. We needed to rent a car for a trip anyway, so we found one from Hertz for like $30 and got 10,000 miles for it. Those miles are enough for one free roundtrip flight from Oslo to Svalbard (a trip we've been wanting to take) at some point in the future. Rent four cars during the life of the promotion and you have enough for a family of four to do that for free, rather than shelling out around $1500 for all of us to fly! </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, not everyone wants to go to Svalbard, so those Scandinavian airline miles could be useless to some. Which brings me to the point that it’s probably best for you to <u>decide what YOU want to pursue</u> and what points will be best to get you there. Then work towards that goal rather than (1) being driven by every promotion or advertisement - there are plenty of these to keep you busy but they may not actually get you where you want to go, or (2) taking a shotgun approach where you accumulate a few points in loads of different places but never enough to do something with. For us, we have a couple (transatlantic) airline programs we focus on as our primary goal because we know we will go back to the USA once a year, and when we have gotten our reserves to comfortable levels there, then we focus on the “extra” goal of hotel points with a couple chains that we can use for a cool place to stay every now and again. </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This approach requires being really organized and on top of payments, etc, and I would say that my approach is not for everyone. Some people will not feel comfortable having multiple credit cards. Some will not want to keep track of when you need to spend what by when, or what cards you have open or closed, or when miles expire and so you need to do something to keep that from happening, etc. And you can get into a lot of long term trouble financially given credit histories and high interest rates on credit cards if you’re not really organized. Essentially, does it take <u>effort to keep track</u> of all of this? Sure. But it’s not work to me. It’s a hobby that I enjoy, just like sitting in a recliner and watching the New York Knicks is for some people. Rather than watching b-ball I do this and it has benefits financially and experientially for our family. And because I am a numbers guy, it's fun for me. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I use several tools to help me keep track of our credit cards and points. <u>Award Wallet</u> is an awesome mobile and desktop app that I use to keep things organized and track points. Then periodically I update a Google Spreadsheet that I created for the purpose of tracking credit cards.</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do this during the time that Charity and I set aside on Sunday evenings to go through our budget and check in on our bank and credit card accounts. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We would track the budget even if we didn't do any credit card point collection, and so it’s not that much marginal work once the infrastructure is set up. </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many may ask, “<u>how did you start</u> given the vast number of chains and credit card options, and the complexity of the rules associated with them?” When I started getting into this I didn’t know much. But there are some people out there that basically do this for their job and write blogs on it (people have asked me why I haven’t done this and it’s because so many people are already doing it a lot better than I would in the time I would be willing to put into it, so I would just be another copy of essentially all the same info). I subscribe to one of those blogs (<u>Million Mile Secrets</u>) and so I get an email every day flagging different promotions or opportunities. Most days I spend about 20 seconds looking at that email. Every now and again, something pops up that catches my eye. Initially I was investing a somewhat significant amount of time into learning about all this, but after about six months I felt like I had learned the basic tricks of the trade and so now it’s just particular promotions or opportunities that I am looking for. For example, I knew about the Scandinavian Airlines/Hertz thing I mentioned earlier because Million Mile Secrets flagged it, not because I myself checked the Hertz and Scandinavian Airlines website all the time. You can see how these tools that someone has already put the effort into creating can dramatically reduce the workload. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I realize this topic probably lends itself more to Q&A than to someone rambling on for forever ... so if you have questions, put them in the comments section. I’m happy to do a follow up post. (Although judging by how long it took me make the time to prioritize this one, I </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">wouldn’t expect it anytime soon. But someday I’ll get around to it if there is a critical mass of questions :) )</span></div>
charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-47519962867561665122019-03-06T07:00:00.000+00:002019-03-07T15:03:09.893+00:00ten thoughts on parenting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRyUcuor6j3RkdmBNsF54zuNwZXziE-8AM90HhOpp-2HhXlaHrsGbB_nKsHipamdhjmtaUQJ3_OiNfGP-GnfYnbx5WlNtVXtsMT95hCJbzf4fVXYlUs1ZvpB97Qf9BredWoZ5SruC09vH/s1600/climbing-mountains-with-children_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="750" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRyUcuor6j3RkdmBNsF54zuNwZXziE-8AM90HhOpp-2HhXlaHrsGbB_nKsHipamdhjmtaUQJ3_OiNfGP-GnfYnbx5WlNtVXtsMT95hCJbzf4fVXYlUs1ZvpB97Qf9BredWoZ5SruC09vH/s640/climbing-mountains-with-children_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLbS-ZhCpC94gSiunw7hbMj6_UjzxXmObPhoThOpRjijSRVBHIdzaG25oaISF1GfcmkWO1hmHeCmffH9LLZ7LAMSZjDiA6-uaA3JwTYOKbOZD6lBxeNV6gCUvFzFfSB6F0FqJyxnHa3_K/s1600/6-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLbS-ZhCpC94gSiunw7hbMj6_UjzxXmObPhoThOpRjijSRVBHIdzaG25oaISF1GfcmkWO1hmHeCmffH9LLZ7LAMSZjDiA6-uaA3JwTYOKbOZD6lBxeNV6gCUvFzFfSB6F0FqJyxnHa3_K/s640/6-copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
today i wanted to share ten thoughts i have on parenting. this is not me <i>giving</i> advice ... i am just starting on the journey of parenthood, and i am noooo expert! but this is me <i>sharing</i> advice - tidbits that i have learned from others or from my (still very limited!) experience. parenting is such a trip, and i really believe that we need to help each other, especially in this super-connected world we live in. so, for what it's worth, here's some thoughts i've had lately on parenting. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(obviously this applies mostly to toddlers since that's the chapter our family is in right now!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(several of the tidbits below are ideas i learned from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/simplyonpurpose/?hl=en">ralphie jacobs</a>, whose instagram story highlights i have poured over. i love her approach and am so grateful to her for summarizing and teaching all the things she has studied.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4O5jZaFn21ObSEUgaV_aW-MsbGiqj0wfWPNbBzUXfF4lRLJsZXpMwNt7xmyNaC2QTYUshvvh68k0ceoJpttsebyVkKTaRHPG17icp913vTLtSLUNB_HC09AgNDl4BCPJVu7Sb0XKdkvi/s1600/women_and_children%252Bweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="750" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4O5jZaFn21ObSEUgaV_aW-MsbGiqj0wfWPNbBzUXfF4lRLJsZXpMwNt7xmyNaC2QTYUshvvh68k0ceoJpttsebyVkKTaRHPG17icp913vTLtSLUNB_HC09AgNDl4BCPJVu7Sb0XKdkvi/s640/women_and_children%252Bweb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
one.</div>
<u>our kids want <i>us</i>.</u><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
kids want their parents' attention, more than pretty much anything. they <i>crave</i> us to watch them, talk to them, notice and acknowledge what they are doing, be with them, interact with them, respond to them. (if you are the parent of a toddler, you're very used to hearing "mama, watch!" "daddy, see me do this!" "mommy, mommy, <i>mommy</i>!!!") our kids want <i>us</i>. and so, our attention is the most effective reward and the lack of it is the most effective discipline. our attention - both positive and negative attention - is what reinforces behaviour.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
two.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>water the flowers, not the weeds.</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
we get to decide as parents where we allocate our attention. commonly, the vast majority of attention (what we notice our kids doing and talk to them about doing, what we actively react to) is allocated to misbehaviour. and that <i>reinforces</i> misbehaviour. when our kids are behaving well, they often don't get a big reaction (or, many times, any attention) out of their parents. and thus good behaviour is not reinforced. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
if we don't want the "weeds" to grow, we should not water them. and if we want the "flowers" to grow, we should water them well. we get to decide which behaviours we reinforce through our greatest tool - our attention. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
i try to completely ignore my toddler's misbehaviour, except in rare cases when it is dangerous or otherwise very consequential. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(in which case, i try to follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/simplyonpurpose/?hl=en">ralphie</a>'s advice to stop, redirect and reinforce.) </span>and when he is behaving well, we <i>talk</i> about it and we celebrate it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
three.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>kids are tiny humans.</u></div>
kids are <i>human</i> - just like adults, they: usually don't comply <i>right away, </i>don't particularly like being told what to do, act cranky when they are tired, hungry or not feeling well, are suspicious of totally new things, take a long time to learn some life lessons (often making the same mistake over and over), and have good intentions in basically everything they do.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
and, also, kids are <i>tiny</i> - their brains and bodies are developing and they have very little life experience. they don't understand <i>a lot </i>of things, and the only way for them to know <i>anything</i> is if they observe and/or are taught.</div>
when we accept that kids are just <i>tiny humans</i>, we can approach them with empathy and compassion.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
four.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>parents are teachers.</u> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
i believe our most central role as parents is that of <i>teachers.</i> from a helpless newborn's first day on earth, parents get to <i>teach</i> souls about <i>everything</i>. we should always take advantage of opportunities to teach.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
something ian and i feel really strongly about is explaining <i>why</i> to our children. we always try to stop and take the time to express the reasoning behind why they shouldn't have another chocolate donut or why we hold hands when crossing the street or why it's best to colour only on paper. we have found that very often, when moses is sooo upset about something, the second we say, "can i explain why?" he stops crying or whining and looks in our eyes and says, "yes." we get to teach and he gets to understand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1wL75J6U1hF8JVINy8iB5aQvtscuivm6r3FKMwim2kYkIZmPbiQFOAHFwWoWW3KiAGw2Dc17udP65G1HA-9ObJ34miH2TJPUZlEabKdW2oNeM9pD3FCF9pcawiBT8mDEYCzBifMVAIwm/s1600/4-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1000" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1wL75J6U1hF8JVINy8iB5aQvtscuivm6r3FKMwim2kYkIZmPbiQFOAHFwWoWW3KiAGw2Dc17udP65G1HA-9ObJ34miH2TJPUZlEabKdW2oNeM9pD3FCF9pcawiBT8mDEYCzBifMVAIwm/s640/4-copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_q8VB1D78XzG3SbC7esgRBig7-RjPKDvL7hRc5HvYvczUqI2jGkdlbI_tLxDwqQpJ0TK1t2l4y7wuezxfJP8vTvGC9oAO2XL4be343NyeZTH5-Hl-aaeLcQSX_hgcraHBF1naysoPmhvb/s1600/9-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_q8VB1D78XzG3SbC7esgRBig7-RjPKDvL7hRc5HvYvczUqI2jGkdlbI_tLxDwqQpJ0TK1t2l4y7wuezxfJP8vTvGC9oAO2XL4be343NyeZTH5-Hl-aaeLcQSX_hgcraHBF1naysoPmhvb/s640/9-copy.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
five.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>and the most powerful way to teach is through example.</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
our kids are so much more likely to do as we do than do as we say. as parents, we <i>have</i> to practice what we preach. we <i>have</i> to <i>show</i> our children how to behave. because, indeed, our examples are our greatest teaching tool. our children <i>will</i> copy what we do (if you're a parent reading this, you know that is true!). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the best way to teach respect is to respect our children. the best way to teach calmness it to be calm. the best way to teach gentleness is to be gentle. we must model the behaviour we want performed. we should be constantly analyzing how we are communicating with/responding to our child and considering if that is the way we want <i>them</i> to communicate/respond.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
six.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>apologize when you mess up.</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
one of the best skills we can model for our children is how to humbly admit and apologize when we've made a mistake. so when you mess up (basically daily...), say sorry to your kids. explain that you made a mistake, that you make lots of mistakes!, and you are doing your best and want to improve. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
seven.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>no empty threats or promises.</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ian and i agreed before we had kids that we would do our very, very best to <i>never</i> tell our kids we would do something that we weren't 100% willing and ready to follow through on. we want our words and established consequences to carry weight and effectively encourage good behaviour and happiness, and more importantly we want our kids to <i>trust</i> us. and so we <i>have</i> to do what we say we are going to do, without a bunch of backpedaling and exceptions, consistently. this can be <i>so hard</i>. and this means that we have to stop and think about what consequences we are presenting to our children (and take advantage of an opportunity to <i>explain why</i> we are presenting those consequences!)<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKyteGcn1RFa9KAGG93CEEM9qbPBpu7awH4v_O9jZc-zxkGu638iCx7AbGpa7k2W-Qp8v3Dstq3mrrRZbwWRzol3AeD9ZGIfZDcrcjTvPu32_Qiy8WpURj-OySea8bJRcp-13RtpA2Hll/s1600/telling%252Bfish%252Bstories%252Bweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKyteGcn1RFa9KAGG93CEEM9qbPBpu7awH4v_O9jZc-zxkGu638iCx7AbGpa7k2W-Qp8v3Dstq3mrrRZbwWRzol3AeD9ZGIfZDcrcjTvPu32_Qiy8WpURj-OySea8bJRcp-13RtpA2Hll/s640/telling%252Bfish%252Bstories%252Bweb.jpg" width="588" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiayiEAnffUZRUKCdbdNn0eLJ3aTVZ31wOOW-OOrZ_rTO1wbTKraWVZNVYOrKkdw0RT0YMoC6pIO8GgXJivkczTPkLyGKERJNZtfhyphenhyphenZCvs5PSuU_7TrkUPNscrpKbxVx0GfxtBI3rAmPEy/s1600/7-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiayiEAnffUZRUKCdbdNn0eLJ3aTVZ31wOOW-OOrZ_rTO1wbTKraWVZNVYOrKkdw0RT0YMoC6pIO8GgXJivkczTPkLyGKERJNZtfhyphenhyphenZCvs5PSuU_7TrkUPNscrpKbxVx0GfxtBI3rAmPEy/s640/7-copy.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
eight.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>frame it positively.</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
we want our children to behave well because they love what's right - because doing what's right makes them happy - not because they want to avoid punishment. so ian and i try to frame almost everything positively: rather than saying "if you keep throwing the rocks, we will have to leave the playground," we say, "keep the rocks on the ground so we can stay at this awesome playground for a long time!" almost everything can be turned around into something positive that helps our children connect behaving well with being happy. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
nine.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>use time.</u> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
i believe time can be a powerful tool in parenting. give kids a little <i>time</i> to comply. give yourself some <i>time </i>away from your child (just in the other room!) when you start to feel your patience spreading thin. allow your children some <i>time</i> to just "get the mad out" or process their emotions or come to terms with something happening that they don't like. recognize that learning takes <i>time</i>, especially for a two-year-old brain. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and always allow lots of <i>time</i> to get out the door. haha. i give myself a solid forty-five minutes to get everyone's coats and shoes on! ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ten.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>pray and listen. </u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
when it comes down to it, no matter how much parenting insight is given and shared, <i>there is no formula</i> in parenting. every child is different - needs different things, responds to different things, struggles with things in different ways. and so, in the end, we just need heaven's help. god knows all his children perfectly, and wants us to succeed as parents, and we will get aid as we turn heavenward. i really, really believe that, because i have experienced it. as we pray and keep our hearts open, we will know what to do. not all of the time, maybe not most of the time, but we will be guided. because our heavenly parents are truly <i>heavenly</i> parents that want to help their children just like we want to help ours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYzx1PKDeL4K1gube9m2AoMA-5y7bzkYUagd_UNEX6nlQYCZjuXK-1KYzVXNGilnb9A6E0mh5346o7Cr_SqbQa_a9LjxTpyR1j3st-b3aPf1kOWRm7rboyq6XpDLNjxuXVYf9UFL1TTwB/s1600/us-with-them-and-them-with-us_2017_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYzx1PKDeL4K1gube9m2AoMA-5y7bzkYUagd_UNEX6nlQYCZjuXK-1KYzVXNGilnb9A6E0mh5346o7Cr_SqbQa_a9LjxTpyR1j3st-b3aPf1kOWRm7rboyq6XpDLNjxuXVYf9UFL1TTwB/s640/us-with-them-and-them-with-us_2017_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://caitlinconnolly.com/">all artwork by caitlin connolly</a></div>
charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-63160280649548483142019-03-03T15:56:00.001+00:002019-03-03T16:01:33.649+00:00springtime has arrived!!!<img alt="IMG 0732 2" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mzY3tQb4Qbn9tOxOJ3ZFiECojHHrlniirnfzJ2AoYxaXvNp2WRsoid3t49T2a_p4UORL4dO_WUH4Ke2YmgKalkGgAMT6leav01nxwnObOtIv-Cr0z69FRvzrSISQzvn2bi06nZ_8tRMe/s0/IMG_0732-2.jpg" title="IMG_0732-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
there is nothing like london in the spring. nothing!!<br />
<br />
we had an unseasonably warm week last week and <i>bam</i>! spring arrived. we spent our days just intoxicated with that giddy joy that comes from the start of springtime. we're now back to dreary skies and chilly air for the time being, but the blossoms are <i>out</i>! and there's a lot of warmth to look forward to.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0257 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLckJJ7une6Z4z7nXbWX0jZm5-_VF5jB0Nz_YG_vSe6jzYAujXr8bcEmk4ualiOJEFdW2tPtHViGtQX5gdXRmjlqK3VTiL5EI2D5HsfOlJyY1shX1TtMb9Ws-UYW54eb4Ar6KoRo0KPNZt/s0/IMG_0257-2.jpg" title="IMG_0257-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 5333" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0VH3NPDtUayXyAK0D96AalGuhmLNuJQ62ZQeSj8hENLnh5ecEVh97Na6We6Cwi8SDfhjm_bmU9cR9DiVXj5StPkLqIjujHPbEgY0La1SvKLfVaMNqrU08Y1bZaMw8yrUM1uymuZJHKp4/s0/IMG_5333.jpg" title="IMG_5333.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0790 3" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56sbzXYZ3Vnp7Zf3dQTMJbr9guH1lX7bTxJgHUToWQDyVekYxu8BRzdygBHjEVlhYI7rbLTLAoA_feJ23PeUpydJjKIb8trLb_OymJ0D-IpcjgzL3ciKfX6DDFj_bmJ2fTRYytABSiipn/s0/IMG_0790-3.jpg" title="IMG_0790-3.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0746 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGegPjtBSA4VJLA5KzPw7h4A-NfIBPMxomnL9WNZ5AwowB8EDEbb0uwUB295QbsIQUWU5a9NtEMHa1-GfzSVeI73PvK3lVwb8iPJ8XY4IZqaFD5p7jh4Caau1W5eJkp8z0C96zlJ-Z_EZ/s0/IMG_0746-2.jpg" title="IMG_0746-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0715 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbMgg2gy-PjYnt7EK3oPXenI8RugelhNUrfvvjU0YeodP0Hlle1Cf-hc8NALheBlKbOn4MHbKBecEZXp5MJtL2xxDcGYAtX-BQnFaU7pdSYaz7Srm7QtAlosx6lq4_cqziHOFB7iXpcb9/s0/IMG_0715-3.jpg" title="IMG_0715-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
it's been getting lighter earlier in the day, and i've been heartily enjoying sunrise runs around hyde park and kensington gardens.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0223 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E4wBf3748u5l533l9RpPVDHz_UmKFXtzq-gDqFnsaIFelv1DvCdnoRTX4I-i2Es3K8G_vDpSgfVahwaKZVZYqVswvfr-mr1HV5aLvVGja_JDkdpV3K00GFLpGBY2oiEHT8wnKJ52lBMl/s0/IMG_0223-2.jpg" title="IMG_0223-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0454 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5iHoZStuZBINVgujPtXW11UXVIS57EstRBHijHyKM1q1SKKHy8JXi8mjBAoHQqo_OqvPSk42H6tFt1s5ZkatV4DDjIvqDnHkISVljGSrVtujumDQKBBZRec1PPPd6XzgK8hVBMCqSbvy/s0/IMG_0454-2.jpg" title="IMG_0454-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
we've been blown away by this <i>incredible</i> yellow tree that burst in our garden, and all the magnolia trees blooming like crazy in our neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0481 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOmBTJAwjr8xHoVFBOaKzhoITvoGpjy1yMGiSNzngy-m3lIxvavI3MLJJyjnJkrQTrBSX6f9b0hUMGB49nwmGfAUJph_Eil6z2LRDECOcVytMSJyoQVQ5c-VNH-hTl87JHtakQJAyUbET/s0/IMG_0481-3.jpg" title="IMG_0481-3.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0493 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT8Zm86I0Jtxso_jFNXFMvS12k5PbPSnmHzTdhfTqI-SaH0uQvq-u02bQl9EDMuNo99xwFY4naXGH8M2hqDWJ691nzTkcW59cQyxQOpIxx3KZb4qp2QCnavUuRsAdLJ6pwBLSL62cPHfk/s0/IMG_0493-2.jpg" title="IMG_0493-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
ian and i got to go to a football match for a date night. it was such a fun cultural experience. sooo much energy in that stadium, and our home team, chelsea, won 3-0.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0290 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQqH04Gn2Nce-CVHpHxgKhjHEKKRrOkRXAarQK5Tkoca8YwuynpNyUdxMxhO7-bA668ycbOQPUxcu0Gz21Wd-FAPlLBNc-ZHX7oN2F6vS-yB7bfW3Pdv0v5fun5nApuAbn3zWc8HELsX1/s0/IMG_0290-2.jpg" title="IMG_0290-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0296 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquWspn957-yvm7X4RAMSQ2s6Xlu-SIuc382_80pOkgZe1JaAdUwjBGLj9r6z4sHZ-gbZ8HL5qJH-jHzP97CvJxRbWyiqdTlp9BgYV4WRIgaseCLXkbBt6qNjpSYsyLvM75lLdVUFGgngj/s0/IMG_0296-2.jpg" title="IMG_0296-2.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 6814 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMHGVWs6F8mT7VNMCktII3QTi6Kch6nVLZ3HW0pXG0EUYkNAjKi5O-igVmlSgF2WiOHjBOtQFh1ZUXw1OC4wGHkAuIQ62C9xKzsc_S79aQElStm7VTm5_RQZulzFaoB1IHILyMhyw-z1m/s0/IMG_6814-2.jpg" title="IMG_6814-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
gabriel has been scrambling all over the flat with his adorable one-knee-one-foot crawl. he's the wiggliest, giggliest baby ever.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0244 3" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvl5FfynBAZeSbWUJUdZB3AceOpAZk5bG5XSGbYrdWkLX85I35h7kukmJepdqVziJpNprUMJEkRXo8EJ9hkI0HbTzIzT6Co7VVhDCWM7HRk7DfqzhqjsrG5xe4HYPwQtNJL3mDwIeIt1o/s0/IMG_0244-3.jpg" title="IMG_0244-3.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="6DE7F021 D27D 4D99 9C89 FD1075A29F5A 3" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MlzJ11NkjolOKkkPpr29BdWATQUazp-F-uqeXBD5FcHFWco1eH5UG9gTmyCTg7jHOzLl_v4rYy7jrNEIsY0ih1WNNu4n9wn8O_85vkHnbr9y_AEyb6RDESZ_wwW0bMwebale74zhuolH/s0/6DE7F021-D27D-4D99-9C89-FD1075A29F5A-3.jpg" title="6DE7F021-D27D-4D99-9C89-FD1075A29F5A-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
moses did a couple half-term football classes (all the schools in london are out for a week in the middle of their term, so the football clubs offer one-off classes during that time). and i have never encountered a child that loves swinging even half as much as gabriel does. he kicks his legs vigorously and squeals with glee any time he gets in a swing!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0263 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmi1bwSz2f95TtSAtkmLFNWBpAxPDdTbnD7L3unxxGbamMFIH17Se6ElCE2WAnBuCzuogj8yPY4XukMcl5vy-Vd-bwZWVy_wLZJ_YzxDprhJnjTSTth3K5q2a6yKeFLIdNr3ssVLQy6qj/s0/IMG_0263-3.jpg" title="IMG_0263-3.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0416 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3WiqQjjObcvV-QQB3G7XdH7_bv4WDYmBvBVwGbhGNLC7RFrln3Dmf94GDqWUJoQdrNgJYCoZ00aIkgw4w1GHlvjkgskNko-rk25VBwDnRNmBTFGtCo0TqQwRLe9Tt5uOKi_Q9M0rnrLh/s0/IMG_0416-3.jpg" title="IMG_0416-3.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 0358 3" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYwj37gM_rWeVRexetCL6EPc-9b0yLNx8PVUy4UApxb-q06bgLBsO8R1wpDGN81liikEMSy1C9-l8CtsBAeKPNdKx0qVkxCu71PxWSDm3QPPoD33BhGSAsTyMevxy-MVZbOOCKc9nbx0o/s0/IMG_0358-3.jpg" title="IMG_0358-3.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
ian wasn't feeling well one day last week and so he worked from home. moses found an old laptop under the bed and looooved "playing computer" with his daddy for a few minutes, haha.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0367 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z52Bjc0MFgs6MTJxK5dX-HyoJ7bJnk_jZOFAsM4yTC5-7tR5C0riomthelZ_j2BvSc5ot6_Pj_7BsiyLqw6hgUn32EDFUZjNw2l6dE66a7fKgg5ZnUHfu4dJ3Rq_hSYYjCr5SpR7f2XU/s0/IMG_0367-3.jpg" title="IMG_0367-3.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0459 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbBi9u0XLeEptKa5r0fS6IDoxrqEjWVHkuTA5Dj7htUAib03DnyzuoLFkOFx5_XJKCccL0-cGZNYnipyLlBLUu9LPOMxxI3t8hCRVYpFwsrx0t3KgGKG60gAcMz-5nSyw05PYQJN_p8-c/s0/IMG_0459-3.jpg" title="IMG_0459-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
big stretches of grass in the parks are blanketed with crocuses!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0434 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FWfQKPU6NrxPjCkqGwLX5OEv4gWlp_GL8vDw2pOLpxioJTGIV5oCqlGVwQB5EIuhPXrIzJCraDDXVuB1uWpp3InlZy8k_c4-Wv5OIgN7qDAjfcln7BXCyKwiHL8hZ8JTC7nxEvJ3ma9K/s0/IMG_0434-3.jpg" title="IMG_0434-3.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0435 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafg_MojkwpkQabnEyAIkO1jA64NDTvhjrFcD_wJ9-A_vEtcusKahoO2xUsGKQ801BeTjrYlOAbjjMFxWV6ENfi0Lo98dN_UPVDpW-BiDUZE0zpSDORQ0uUB9PGcrdtgs_jVDtrI_6qIVN/s0/IMG_0435-3.jpg" title="IMG_0435-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
moses transitioned to a "big boy bed!" he's almost as pumped about that little fact as he is about once again sharing a bedroom with his baby brother (we had gabriel sleeping in the living room for a while when his nighttime sleep had regressed). it's so fun to "spy" on the boys via our video monitor. sometimes they are checking each other out...<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0448 2" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqohuckwvJJS8TCI_VjgyzDZN7RWJWBGjuaBLJCYz4xrytzKknyFZfW3wDit7KfkSX1maq6DJAQHy9YYkCCnbSW6OWSNcAPrp8bjrwJviYS0EzLWKM-baTMe5hJ4rS36NoKNQ2sK_T9Kba/s0/IMG_0448-2.jpg" title="IMG_0448-2.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 0702 2" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlWuHcxMaknq-1Iq0m_26WNGbL0ZZ37VI72YdmvGSjeXIPponefU7af8LKRCbml479C2i8bSPtziqI_p1zS2hISLSW7Tpkb0B_HvGe0RoaIC0b78xTvuLBmfmCL4GbQykXnv1UzmUpqdF/s0/IMG_0702-2.jpg" title="IMG_0702-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
but most of the time they are sleeping soundly, hooray!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0447 3" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXHGsPqE6rSw9OlMWMUINakT7ea1J9nemaK9WPIJGPHEnx143hxgL2EfCNxAoZWGYRahsP5wpbnoLWxGCX6IPLCEspq4mQjZM9gJq7zr08nPLJi4gyHBdjP_5StaNw2iNdRAgZUXHEfsc/s0/IMG_0447-3.jpg" title="IMG_0447-3.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
neither of the boys were too keen on this sharing-the-swing situation, but i had to snap a few pics of them sandwiched in there together ;)<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0474 2" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDiqxyHjdeY-xIlDkn-j1hcOiGNo8MjrFOiNfS2WcPK7NJ2txlgQHBQkOyjx9GAZAywq8jzIkJcY0JrEewFDVhYB3sAZccRMFD5_2dSX0xyIJEt7S0NsXSSMF17k25qbhesTP7Qdm6pVv/s0/IMG_0474-2.jpg" title="IMG_0474-2.jpg" width="214" /> <img alt="IMG 0471 3" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY9rRzvV4s0rC6Y2udynO0KJNljjoLVVca4hSG2tLmX331k7FmO7wWrwYGC8f7KELV-K7ld7bqrY29_-JVAmsPUo06wHjAuUApX7CUXg3a0tcVBsVSP9m8_bR_DHfCV72pYz1JSqmMNZz/s0/IMG_0471-3.jpg" title="IMG_0471-3.jpg" width="214" /> <img alt="IMG 0476 2" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx8Q73q6YPE9cBeIRDvKAp3t1qBbq6IxypBFr5eMnJ8HRIgsXRu8XOoPW4Ibe1-IMerPEDY9WVvQCGxTVWpl2FXRHd8xgOyK49YVsgDHq15fkzYKMCCvAYPAFaM0CIMjZDkZsX9aJe6KC/s0/IMG_0476-2.jpg" title="IMG_0476-2.jpg" width="214" /><br />
<br />
on one of the crazy warm days last week, a big bunch of mom friends met up to play and picnic in the sunshine. mo was having so much fun that he was devastated by the fact that i brought him over to the group when they were snapping a picture, haha. it was such a fun morning. (we are missing a half a dozen toddlers in this pic that were also there but further away so not worth the effort of dragging into the photograph...)<br />
<br />
<img alt="675d3913 0c10 495e 8609 ed6bfe5cb2bf" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYGabC9wXQIT2JffEqwiEUVqvIJbAOxZRaCnnS89BN-PrdlVWGfHIVG912WYFn-_dEM1mKVgo262DhMYONAk8O-YxJcyGcSfejRu7CF4QMSQs3K2f1NKkxQSsSrMYjyUEVep5gPN3Wp-N/s0/675d3913-0c10-495e-8609-ed6bfe5cb2bf.jpg" title="675d3913-0c10-495e-8609-ed6bfe5cb2bf.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
last saturday we went as a family to whipsnade zoo. our london zoo passes get us into this place, about an hour north of the city, for free - so we thought we'd check it out. i can't believe i didn't get any better pictures (only one of a rhino's bum and one of moses pointing at the map, haha!) -- that place is <i>amazing</i>! they have an old steam train that you can ride past wallabys and elephants, a fabulous indoor play place, and an epic playground ... not to mention lots of different animals from all over the world. we had such a fun, sunny day there together.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0392 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U0wNKAqMMpDid8ChavLcxYL_IKwDCFfCJYEPR-eJ40RGkFsDBNPhdrvfSVkJMR7Gq_lead7oqwyLFHDLEdevF7N5lyq5CDt0e1Y6-vLMwO4pqTy1_zhvMRf8uYK9jfvP7j4fT9PzWAuB/s0/IMG_0392-2.jpg" title="IMG_0392-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0403 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_T4NftC9kCqx-amlzUTrql2GmHPz9SD7iYmlts_gtdckUSFFa2PxvbDRZp76inmtKiobOy9mYzkl6L4WAQMFYb9qsbAyZZQrnOeRCzOwYn6sC7_gjNFGUQ_pUHQJQh2STSpaCM9gr0fo/s0/IMG_0403-2.jpg" title="IMG_0403-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
it always feels nice to get out of the city and into the countryside. this is the view from one corner of the zoo! (both boys are having their nap in this photo!):<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0395 3" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxT9YGSY7TMEHrUZr_uMGa6oBaUaNupR-NHHAbWoiD4QnrQYrFrcrp_tPvwcpeCNMKsmSGn8ErWlW25S98_hIRqDohw-shoB6cywPvo2VwymldL6h1M9S1A4aoTVshZUE4NGhtDnnR3bv/s0/IMG_0395-3.jpg" title="IMG_0395-3.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
i mean, seriously, he <i>really </i>loves the swing.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0264 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypZlaunotgZhtBbwQY6lo8wQ0lFVnnmODeHq2Y-IK3iD8LS4Bz7L5NXh4845WCVvGaNMy6EkvM6bnF301_rTW5vEaXjTCJEkWr0rxcJO8YTKboLT3beLZ_sLEYf_gV8wU9Zumz5P-e15Y/s0/IMG_0264-2.jpg" title="IMG_0264-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0278 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHbkozGeAArVXL0IIAzcA8UOVPJ4khg72yS85n3rvpc9Qje7RI4noBCShEFhImCyBT2YoCifCj27d3zVIFjBlAIDVMHY5ehDhy4pFMjRLz6_iNDX2FmWXXEKRNhM3N67J1bGGTsEeuZ9i/s0/IMG_0278-2.jpg" title="IMG_0278-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0375 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB1IhEmOwQdSWR9g7bCEJ3AK13Q52SR0eOv93jRQDLbOfT-GwDm9dLDe7TOs5Dsdxp26w3ofzWQdE4Ba0AD0RX0r_zTzsKgjgbIyBPKya6crRJabqWDt-zMdTTF0tArNCHNqoANz7wux0/s0/IMG_0375-2.jpg" title="IMG_0375-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0806 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWweqLMWdQWSwUeCoFQdC-3G2kJBN-jf8z7bBmp86cCJTpUiRvMpu6Pdw-17PCHMeNlXQEZ-cMffwaE-aq3xIj7rQSxql5JrA8O-Y7hztBFFn-uYXCmyODrHadfXGP0UVmNgHbvxw_mVe/s0/IMG_0806-3.jpg" title="IMG_0806-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0798 4" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51XGwNF_L-rOx6QpmpXMWpObsuulgoPtT_Zq3X_WMSlcCxdXvTfb_4uBXhq1XazhAw3dRlhN653M4IpJrJ6iiRK3JEefzIOA_lSEmgh08wbpYlQAzYsplfK8rR5lE-JGR4ksJBs0ySE36/s0/IMG_0798-4.jpg" title="IMG_0798-4.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0382 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBaLJplI5AfBghdwCShE6Tkk2uWDIqFi48BPxC99QEblNtq_JTDTE41uD3FUtlYK4qZjEkPIf2AvEdXKTPNU6Un2I9WmQmZffQOgfP5-6laegbVXy4aJrCkOtveJJmI1Qwa6nwThdIsxA/s0/IMG_0382-3.jpg" title="IMG_0382-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0506 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwy66H66azZt22XcVuHM5fjkbe0k2KmnkHAvqlZlZNYpZm9FHeutPG9tEDGINr4JSKQ4dlV-7MMg7CWHvzeKNzVn6CHntDCzDtu30jEYeaAWfRwmDKgUSSyR0Q4VMQAug84ofJjRHjPRl/s0/IMG_0506-2.jpg" title="IMG_0506-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0740 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIdOG4wfnTg8mNS_0AHd9x7hZYkkTruvSjjC2kqjfjiianCOJMxqkoi7WGTbaqHknfReIbIpvStEjoutZf4do7B34sGZAK5XgRXWvJBnPyzB2FduvIS9Xa1ReLfOCo0125Q6fobBXFPwU/s0/IMG_0740-3.jpg" title="IMG_0740-3.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
yesterday i ran ten miles, and my pace was quicker than usual. it felt amazing! i ran through kensington gardens and hyde park, then along green park and past buckingham palace, then through st. james's park (which is <i>covered</i> in daffodils right now!), then by westminister abbey and the houses of parliament to lambeth bridge, across and then along the thames passing under the london eye, then across millennium bridge to st. paul's and back up the strand to st. james's park! i felt so in love with london and so grateful for my body. this coming saturday i run a half marathon. i figure if i have to run thirteen miles for training anyway, i might as well get a medal and a goodie bag for it...!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0787 2" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqRvl8H7nhswN9qQrIqybQhQxFIlXR-Xs0HMjGS8AcQsLgSN9I2FsWCpoFYzxWkroGE1GJC9CbhL1KZoCglRPqzu7rGIlgVilx3OlMnzGoZqrgVaZ4I_QRN-My0qtdbjtyMDvnzLvB-Mv/s0/IMG_0787-2.jpg" title="IMG_0787-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0755 2" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nT1WwtYIdgnLo5veUc5SiT5qK8EKJOowzf9dr4KL8cP3uxeTLNwx5f8Wv45ppvEqZuhYhYDCWNrhUsN07VdIjMyylf0o5yg2GSWgRUNhb9OrwhjcEk8i8-MVCsB53hO-xG_G2CoGyRGF/s0/IMG_0755-2.jpg" title="IMG_0755-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
welcome back to london, springtime! i'm so glad you're here.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0759 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup4JtuiQGmg_7kSYOtkML-YE5m1j1S-mPQVG7jiLMm-oK3uTQ6GjN8BS0cjlGWTh-D2ZVpILk7XQ2nZWtWe7Vu4HNbB0qQW-ir-sfx_TYGsZ-TRymmonP5cK-bJwwFoTpYGbbPuPc-aeU/s0/IMG_0759-2.jpg" title="IMG_0759-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0512 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EdaNyv-DgFR_0lxD-z4bhPcpULZ4Wd1ajrJ6LbRfFIhpzitR8EQXxc4DPEdke9Y1_G1a4k1MH_7RC4e9_WnLZr_0dNuksnEEGFk-Lj43oyinGA9A3qeeyqAAiOJKxH7DqxHP_y-5eU-n/s0/IMG_0512-2.jpg" title="IMG_0512-2.jpg" width="323" />charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-31616343208479154732019-02-27T14:50:00.000+00:002019-03-03T15:57:38.303+00:00vacation<img alt="IMG 3720" border="0" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN9lam45aILIionit-7fvmAk5AfJR0RNG4RwAgsZsmCqCykUCcyzk1xRYfSRdb9xUF6D2LB4nTF8jlW7oHaMp3NOkIb-yVxTMAchAlRO59PdmENBXjQDDpcCKpYgxUA_a4vrOZ3K164cQ/s0/IMG_3720.jpg" title="IMG_3720.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
ian and i have decided to make it a general rule that we go on a trip to somewhere <i>sunny and warm</i> at the beginning of february each year. we both <i>love</i> the weather in london - it is spectacular ten months of the year ... but january and february are realllly dreary and dark. having some sunshine to look forward to half way through those doldrums is just right.<br />
<br />
this year, we used hotel points to book a stay at a gorgeous resort in tenerife (one of the canary islands). when we arrived, we were <i>very </i>pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to a crazy awesome suite (with a huge terrace that had a jacuzzi and stunning ocean views)! i've always scoffed a little at vacations that involve never leaving the resort, but besides one quick trip to see some spectacular cliffs ... we never left the resort ;) we enjoyed a stellar breakfast buffet every morning and split the rest of our time between the pools and the beach (and our epic terrace). this trip was different than many we take, but i gotta say, it was preeeetty dreamy.<br />
<br />
there's <i>travel</i>, and then there's <i>vacation.</i> our time in tenerife was pure <i>vacation</i>, and it was just what we needed in february 2019 with our two small boys. each member of our family had a <i>blast </i>and we returned to london so happy and rejuvenated.<br />
<br />
some photos from our vacation<i>...</i><br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 3614" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oUzMQrjlIxfJ-cMHZFTP6PEbGZFHLahn7Qz2LrMcW_kwzuzto124XSzhxa6zsqgQc7DsOSpIxj0Jwjyrh27TZJ5CpAW2zuJG0eY-fUDONtjd63wmD5hP5XukaTxfIDWFizkzje-gffKM/s0/IMG_3614.jpg" title="IMG_3614.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3764" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAtYzHfc-3AinlHK2DnFfaFMXm9NQSrThkLuhVA4uM1GvUnUoUZ4MpK95CG_eV58lIbho9hWaC8IXE-Oo4IUT5EK2laIXpt0t1rAXyYUQ78IwJrwN6y62nTA1iZ6CQB7M-ULLnSpLJjLd/s0/IMG_3764.jpg" title="IMG_3764.jpg" width="650" /><br />^^ i'm pretty sure that the square footage of this terrace is bigger than the square footage for our flat, haha ^^<br /><img alt="IMG 3768" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9OKgp2VzAgnEKJ9EaujAULJClz_4w3yhpqK8Fadhlix2Om5wjLCXTJj54EGcpa6GlaFa8NKe3xkzCa5eLn_tx1VYCvPj28r1QHZziHJ_Wx1ysyS0uL68ZxhpDDbsu2XcbwM3QiSLu8cf/s0/IMG_3768.jpg" title="IMG_3768.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3642" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkn3FbO1r_APYX2RLnuXE4RpxtSdnanNPkmSz9RdHkeOtVT2Z6Hdyx2ksQbsW5lEuTLCfl48ZCFJqMcBsDTGtLyGn61XZBBPrzHYBcyuwaT5xiLvmXDy058FHFXvKI6gZZAX94Jj39olh/s0/IMG_3642.jpg" title="IMG_3642.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3651" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSpbr7cHP1M-CQDoOGYoatUoz0zifra-JoIRPOAIKDd2sRnU7Z5t3g-SSX5LBg-BjPIg-U_iKm7VKM8W1-Xw_rEC2XReoPqhcClZ_iqEKwX2AGGj1gTTiYQOxZ7GZEBnyN3mvmyiH_kwf/s0/IMG_3651.jpg" title="IMG_3651.jpg" width="650" /><br />
our one outing was to see the <i>los gigantes</i> cliffs, which are pretty impressive! we found a black sand beach to play around on for an hour or so in the sunshine.<br /><img alt="IMG 3496" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG6C_xiJQE7_Ll4hYUhe9j_i_u6WSrP7YruCxxLN7zcWjV4B59rJlquVTncHtF1je37r1bRrhIYHcXgAe8p8TySNxA76EEKrEzWgOz3RDMskSS4S4ii510MwkS23sDEy8Y92n3JAJVjbR/s0/IMG_3496.jpg" title="IMG_3496.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3500" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmOGMaoAirK6dCJTBQPdUJb2mfSSLHtHau6AQDRlE_69yrT668fVZkVpfjjL8OI7Zs39RiviEl_ru8LO1wA_MTm3FpMCFHnSVWH0WNpcYxhQRgpyTU_2pm-gA_SUhxrA_dvprUk6hPKv0/s0/IMG_3500.jpg" title="IMG_3500.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3502" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsJddd1kcblodoqd11dmSULcDbSbGqheMK-j42Q9Cw6Wn0A6b6SODQvLgxxPboEafiMboF8ibiyDEdhK3xMz3uE9e2KEWdiwXo4utKl20ifhWQ9B9t1dicYJQ0I0-tDf7pP1MgknevYkG/s0/IMG_3502.jpg" title="IMG_3502.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3533" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdAY_PyMz4bjp46Pnw4qmdlQslQMusm-FEZjiLTTBAnEYIpxZVr36sZjtSFhGT1rsN9ygWok3AUsbUCiRakVms2oN9QFvPJ-cQ-QpkusQB9zRqs_5eTBa-Jhzj7mITHNZooxWxfROIKTL/s0/IMG_3533.jpg" title="IMG_3533.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3530" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3g3voOAlCGjkJkQZbJSiwPCBtWJqo4HhRQzceY9Z9M6pmcFR3iEvPTlTjCznqA4Bx6jRN1-0w0Ij0JcaFRrdFd30Ut9WKOb6EN-3595mIkc6S4RWZEcfRksBUGxHST0e00gHprhySceC/s0/IMG_3530.jpg" title="IMG_3530.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3545" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ss_2DFguh7dveyGY3dPrXKLoguXdGe22eiatPGm7E1b3iOIvC3CwyJN8mwUXIzrzZTKcJ2nYxcfYI_Z2xrW5moR0THBJvzUuR76tgQUhe6-scb6P7VfxzxNRQTnq8qxrlQfc1KHT3Y8Q/s0/IMG_3545.jpg" title="IMG_3545.jpg" width="650" /><br />and then we came back to the resort, had a relaxing lunch by the pool and decided we didn't need to leave again until it was time to go home to london ;)<br /><img alt="IMG 3616" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpzKqiDUcdQSY1gQOcUenUv14Vpg_b6CG4ZnJJTGQvj0U5v2Z1pfRFR_EkXlEiM4OyaHAcwmbX8K4rzQ-EZpilJLtjtfhHZzjI1TAorl7oX_NAqAc7PBKbrjUWiAzG9RIJ7sr49XEA26Y/s0/IMG_3616.jpg" title="IMG_3616.jpg" width="650" /><br />the resort's beach is perfect. there's even a little funicular to ride to get to the sand from the top of the cliffs, and mo loved that thing!<br /><img alt="IMG 3564" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGPo7_vF8lyjk6111jepm3vSdTf2py_ozvbFyBphDVeH3EAHUuhrgfR0X0UMWuPWFlQGpyeMdFlfMUUFqGtIFv-RJWZMCAYP7D2VMip5oidXGvp3IsxLBI_M99-bbBhWtym42dVRH8DHx/s0/IMG_3564.jpg" title="IMG_3564.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3589" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SiJgv8F4GTjvo2cBXEa2bXanXxepJy3L0i9l1ZBouo3ppMIv0Z4JAypoSJC8UNDgGQ9T0ZAZGuX8dJxZKc-4xIUfoKb1ZVXh4No5N4KqVuvohNB_l6AcKvl_hH0ME9QDBWW26GtmUh2A/s0/IMG_3589.jpg" title="IMG_3589.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3590" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijFsoeZgzJTIEJZCyEyBXUjaFhYBlo8rsiSIF4YvTlYqTBY9qn-7_VeUoYH_LuTzJ98MROby0io0Aym3Ii5IRv8-oCA5zNUue3Vi1ssS1j0z-dlxYho90rRuyCuwPwQ2CDLYCHoIq5Kyd/s0/IMG_3590.jpg" title="IMG_3590.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3579" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsci_2NT97lo44XWHQHyrVEeqGUMPYllWTs0KjoYUBnvTOfiWv3-Hr0ZoLYcAUk_BmrxX7LCcZkclIDdJo3-qbUIXosfSYthkKE9tK7vsvV613qxiAaFs3y6yKAmRDhwichNQT11ACsgb1/s0/IMG_3579.jpg" title="IMG_3579.jpg" width="323" /><br />we spent two perfect sunsetty evenings at that beach, bathed in the last light of day and pure, simple family happiness.<br /><img alt="IMG 3570" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVKMd_CK7sMTHdFfUWTUsi-q9WFPdDWf3PRWZgOTYC9ctnylFOFCLclQ6pruddn1wo9SQspuIF9vCxfSLQNn9cJpRomszVVe7fjpy3JaefvHqYbuuyGZP39jGnjRrR9ogpwZvFHTaJ9HA/s0/IMG_3570.jpg" title="IMG_3570.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3571" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSs42s1ZAIGjj3Vth7I_i2MPIpRI0h_U3gNNPE8CaZIZgWDKBXvEK48QnURXmh3UCwsq-tOEQrKv-AzoQ6iHigzAoUiYZhtASEz7GiAJDBQ4hyOJLw0kiuqRU528HKFgodP_pNpRGkjxZ/s0/IMG_3571.jpg" title="IMG_3571.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3612" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV5G2LaWD1vjUXf9orMizsaD_rBpPy1lkxfW3ThWOmZ5YjBeQ68BPcwhyx-txCitIX8S4c48FPv68nGPukJQtMa4aOf2ofcRrNp7bkuL4IUykXDxmee2-r7BL-c1biq0tpHcArp78Dtc2/s0/IMG_3612.jpg" title="IMG_3612.jpg" width="650" /><br />the breakfast buffet was a big hit for all four of us.<br /><img alt="IMG 3619" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvqNkGZt_DOlcJXB_V5MEz8P1KrrWtBGRxPokcYGFMkkurLOwOh9f15kTgMeKQJOtcYI8aEqLMvRVTxUKf2H_HKLe8_lItKkEpA9vvq3ZUqvE-rOenN3_xnfpSqjCLX9XbURXE-Rsix6u/s0/IMG_3619.jpg" title="IMG_3619.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3622" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEy0eEH2sm0lJp1e5NCYgwONuD19ZDKBrp73A1WRBRJVowj9ALcxK2By6OvKpXSN7oID2A3dxx4NY7N9C-8sQcexPwJHNCOB6NUGKfVRgkTbmwxTYjlSSlqKLP5NgNMHtpoEGkskSGAjK/s0/IMG_3622.jpg" title="IMG_3622.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3623" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTwOUUbOs9XqO_0PPN7nSu8RIEjW4TCEfYSGiCsKyJ26xB8osR6Y7akE45LJ6QyCNokk_4cIEWKDTibKuXwgSNPhA0Xtkd5Yl6MbyMK7hsWUFoXUv2F55sPtO2u8sWoSt6oMfsKirT_Bo/s0/IMG_3623.jpg" title="IMG_3623.jpg" width="650" /><br />every morning, moses had three heaping bowl-fulls of rice krispies with a side of watermelon and honeydew melon. and after, he ate one "chocolate roller" (what he improptu named the mini donuts!). he was in heaven. (i loved the freshly prepared omelets, belgian waffles and yogurt parfaits. ian loved the pastries and sausages. gabriel loved the fruit and bagels!)<br /><img alt="IMG 3634" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_47N0BE1KgMG1uPo-kuwmVFuc3zVfFdxY2V4K15_nj20eBWmTJWj2tYOzc4ep4IVlYYCLukpeM6RhZh4_n6iFWCLHq-AE6iI6dQakD2YiRPV5bSWJljVl8Qb3N3RGO2l10qtpNTC4Tl0a/s0/IMG_3634.jpg" title="IMG_3634.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3721" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjyedwQBJv0Af_eKXe_SE8VA0gwX-uf4AlyNBvaMTIO2lvEIe5rw6cfKAoXxbV_mLKlcA1T0-kxxOS_aCWXO0OejmDNVCjwQZs3OopYRYoHurdT7ZGevZg1VtUQ0E-XXdIMoIAvKMNpEG/s0/IMG_3721.jpg" title="IMG_3721.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3643" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7iL2o90ZfJermMGDnMZIPY7RMrHVzWm7vthIJNm0nP0_aS-6a1OQ4iD5XZvQk8gnHeBY0m4PS5OqToKGgFxIxkbaT2DP5MmJ4_0xgIfUw4JnaOvILk9bgkHhnNJ_V8BaPZ4QYrovdzNL/s0/IMG_3643.jpg" title="IMG_3643.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3652" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkRZu2cE3x1tUKHH_9u6zzAP9N2CYZTUWFgWilRx9Sxe_2gETrbjJ5pwcT1BA5-Nc2WD2DAC1Vhw4_ootCDy3CpYCK5lxGIzo7irQRjcf8m6Vmhvzswm-TALmgDzNu-9fKDvXr99LJ4BF/s0/IMG_3652.jpg" title="IMG_3652.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3551" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9Za7h4CH3FvjLozppEapxGNNuyK8GhHoLNL9hpdYRuJuDLKgSYsmsznPWh6jJsBDVj-ZbqJfOzCsxSCbo99oq6xuIMCJ-t_DnLgk4EIhAIxTrL2lyrw6w_lRXvfMOB5HVSnHz0uKeuyn/s0/IMG_3551.jpg" title="IMG_3551.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 4854 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_IhtjumddUAqpleGlp1AI6u6M4AZG4VS9igSFWI5YGfeK0xK7HxRtv-3dosLjVYmhCNsu3J_OwBuR-sefif-7uizQUjvUCSk5-mZoT4o4FuM4go8UPZ6eljdNayptVW9jRHBr8aecP7q/s0/IMG_4854-2.jpg" title="IMG_4854-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 4886 3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC-Vcw-3tsKTzfnDaxS7xitXLIzNtOPR9UympCPXFIPl0jXK5nULLE_MtrzFj2cNeiA-DKZhHjusdnsuG0J4m-RDi1Iq5kpQHTXBaifw-4JaYre9Itg9QTd4xZU8hvmbguooWiXMKH0n5/s0/IMG_4886-3.jpg" title="IMG_4886-3.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 4836 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJX3MPUAxRuvuSz83nLvAlWZF8ScB4OnluMgPjx7afMeiF0uFCpFKqZCg4mIJemaUm092nutHkAbM8Lxh53avsNQa9Fg05_7gBJ2wToIwwYg44AnhUzuw2uwQnYlyzV7AydB_jopSH0Sn/s0/IMG_4836-2.jpg" title="IMG_4836-2.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3560" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHiPZPsI4P_av2QYhiiOnVpeYBD53pp45ySyOw6u1qeZVLtL2ibiBJ7m3kuNXrjvpBe28u7YDT-wAe9-nCLPSsQLlGg8I3qMUCyPCruURHXar2MAiq8qzdTt-hjNynPCh0GberoplqKoO/s0/IMG_3560.jpg" title="IMG_3560.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3659" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy7q0PWvtmo9lyrUOwiE7NqBGOOgddFsuYKZITbhB-poVZ5KEr-H3ZMYsnxnicdSDBDOtdTjhUunLHNqfvU9BtQw0aoUscFi7A7F3PzliI3454SWeIM6AfajpsSfhj3Ru8BmCQL8LBvkQ/s0/IMG_3659.jpg" title="IMG_3659.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3060 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpKIbWikDOLyF9PFxlgs2ZElwAtdFFUi9cQEoexNRo1ZoOIx17qkjDyIVU6DC-6dNak9-be2cNdXw7LeamwXAx2BGDzOPlp6pfg7RPkkP3ADue46bjEnxGwMZ3eYaq0ueCStaK-6t3c7J/s0/IMG_3060-2.jpg" title="IMG_3060-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6902 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sG-6phxi8rWU40Y0t5_Wff8sIFAeRWhVQufbiZhWUztLg40Jdyx1DhkLjim-pI6x1Hs6j3P81QtS_Q-dAzWq-llzLPVO1_vplGM4VMX9wlBoBJWlYJ0zkRRsmQ0igoskfTzyiIQ_aDIA/s0/IMG_6902-2.jpg" title="IMG_6902-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />the playground at the resort was super fun to visit between beach and pool visits.<br /><img alt="IMG 3663" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDfMwY2uBppb08OwsyOJ3tL39ISpYzn9EwJAoZJTEQEIp7ICAh2QbQOmmu0fMBZkv1tyglevMgfjVBYuph_NrTEPansul3n_2luCAsuKpmapI93q5bWd1O_LUIwC96o0QzR7DXmhGvRxU/s0/IMG_3663.jpg" title="IMG_3663.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3674" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_gmn1maZzock69LjQlcK297k1S2XLJbwwC7_xNf_k9iwHSQgY_Bp55QxIqwVesYVmnc5HFgqdiTDzw0OMtk96Dk8_FqYRffnIoiXlOsgaCCFi05oFcwN4Q29bu60HcXsnNlhwIzzSOtU/s0/IMG_3674.jpg" title="IMG_3674.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3681" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx56uaCVKzQqBVIzMJGKSAeNoaaROR1oeB3wwafeNi-Nro99VPIsvGXmmcPyhSUg8uoleinac0pHdXpAyiuN2bvPnLbKttIKmeo_OBebJosbT1UJ_VhOx1ZI70P61J-sPi0Dtka9Z2iYK/s0/IMG_3681.jpg" title="IMG_3681.jpg" width="650" /><br />^^ can you spot mount teide, tenerife's huge volcano? ^^ we were going to go up the volcano in a cable car together, but children under three are not allowed. so we had to stay at the resort, gosh darn it ;)<br />
<img alt="IMG 3693" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVAJEJ2GDtvfAAyFTlvxMCk9j8L_RXpK00uVNG1wRPoGoH-c9E6FnQnw_evM2bDEgHeGAkrgVndsbYG7Dc8Yd6HWpdIMpWwePpp7-iUeXHyUhMy3enztEOiLDvn0RksAM9Y1RIoRysz7W/s0/IMG_3693.jpg" title="IMG_3693.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3699" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnAtkvJTTPhkM3KXCvHfAxyOtxIThWHRMloQD95iu-WHeg3kuh3W82_oQtK7UWpYsuBfEZ52hSg13zIcedrMuyWKz0CJ0ABKLtxCT4jhgiiJabXJyz1H8XCicg-Tf2Ac4YCNSWRp9hDl4/s0/IMG_3699.jpg" title="IMG_3699.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3610" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZv6_mPlpMD-umWMgvnBy7crKbHJKZ8Uj9Hz_AoMq9bCYiu8dmfUa4u0he2OEYPigmZiSh8MCu481bMw5JwLCPCswKmeMGhzePNfTc6oPjfzz0171ldsRta3tIExI4Ouf824aXyaHR9E3/s0/IMG_3610.jpg" title="IMG_3610.jpg" width="323" /><br />^^ mo's first dip in a hot tub! ^^ soaking in that jacuzzi after the kids were asleep, talking with ian under the stars, was probably the highlight of the trip for me.<br /><img alt="IMG 3725" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibejZJrS5zKQwtfbXc4Z2vGPl6GkX6iSOmqGE6wrqCat7pj4k8ky0-MDBDChoYe2IyqtbT7MzDS8AmZukU5Kn24c9Oo8opMY9wChrWH8Sa9168lWAhEM5rgl0TGQFAOz-jxCxQ-79Qc-D5/s0/IMG_3725.jpg" title="IMG_3725.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3733" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEynNs_EdAyLbUQzcSYw1_Vpj4Bz6BJRRKjJQ-Xtbg_aoo6n7QP7xjoEihsgYd26EE4BMJR6pmYBLHKrzEkBFg7bf0XZuq3nTjsXNeJU9p6nkODcbOeZ0KTc9FxE2EIjq3qk3cXvquGEB-/s0/IMG_3733.jpg" title="IMG_3733.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3737 2" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6BIjaF-wJhtzKXuVX_dQGQ7OBUYzMLF-t_Wu25GYCYl5WeQdFXZ9TmbSTOebnmATt2qVEho9f7r-KKPy-lMgf-w3OuTScwil0qcZtP5-9foj5dhQmFJHblZdrajx1ZzeYvBtLsPHekzD/s0/IMG_3737-2.jpg" title="IMG_3737-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3741" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr4PfB49JoWH0Wdhl-P_Xkn_Y2ZhcnUNLPDLvmEtyeLEIC6oK7QRU4dFXToBdDO7r2gk06D2qbJRs__S_VHyY9ojRzPqMxZp0yyU9rcdWBNXOG1_LcHcXPbaTAPZjkmdXzH3kMQ5afaqc/s0/IMG_3741.jpg" title="IMG_3741.jpg" width="323" /><br />^^ realllly enjoying some pasta during a golden hour dinner at the beach cafe! ^^ we ate on the deck as the waves crashed just feet away.<br /><img alt="IMG 3755" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd40p3cp8OotbxDcFNiUEtC20TyQod4Kx96WIkAhrE15weWXgI6Rdp-bVpq9hMA0tfks8krOhYoq03BYK1ITj2sptbSn3FLP8hSdL1WDcbanMEB2RN6Szw8FNRJJh5wXdQGuOh_7eV1bl-/s0/IMG_3755.jpg" title="IMG_3755.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3760" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1rwTifTEcSgMMzDsyWl9pYXPtw4iWzoanR_EpVMFGZDTvE1x97otTy1Xl5P0kDdoAfAPvSnhC9FkfcgIj8WvjZdMVVqe9EvFdXuoZR9dgvXmXOgcNfYNEg8Qf7jcDVA6kgFJbslDnug9/s0/IMG_3760.jpg" title="IMG_3760.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0092 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiq9vVGrZH6RA5S7Qu2ur-2i2N-VkOW0ci7JV7bEdYeHKgHCZHq8P2wuf8t5mrwNySGNr47cNnY82eOTACPeP2GaZy9XWeH58frUErM8g_UZ2hnXuiWvNcUavUcQRZD-_Zwu7zIHiNDm2/s0/IMG_0092-2.jpg" title="IMG_0092-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3626 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAwKb_KdZOPTwMUpnTdsLEC5i_pVw_31SFlNP6A7hbvN_DvdIwqixnoO_03FKmHjRnB4z11FrrAxn86dGPVUK0mU5qaTRQGLG9T4RuV-om_AM8y4Q0OxVq10_qDwS9x_IpNV2HGiPQ3qq/s0/IMG_3626-2.jpg" title="IMG_3626-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />^^ sad to say goodbye but happy to have experienced those four glorious days of warm, sunny, relaxing, fun, fabulous <i>vacation</i>! ^^charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-88242790911826965402019-02-22T14:47:00.000+00:002019-03-03T15:57:29.223+00:00valentine's day love<img alt="IMG 0041 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o7wGj14ZxDncfD31Bj9EaqLbS_7JXkrq4oDhMZXyjyzscshE8ektqfX9jaiGV1qEVRc6CrYL-KS6jufJKi_cyGXIFogYHrctE-RnMIj4FCuXafVO0SGszJlbAB9_JV4wB2iG-EQu5p5k/s0/IMG_0041-2.jpg" title="IMG_0041-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0181 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvtJD_SwvejSgpN-Y4pj9c_zbNS-Odp0lHYx5FP31eLLPMs8IiRx6uRH4pYIfUk37Hx9X6Gxw3SbgfUNWCjGnPKNMms4g2Yn0hxvIE1t7LYqaaQt2zV1W5g4I4oWHHZlZzJRyZfCSsbrR/s0/IMG_0181-2.jpg" title="IMG_0181-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i kind of feel like holidays are slipping through my fingers lately. over and over i have to remind myself that it's okay that i often feel like i am in total survival mode - that's just how it's gonna go during these years with small children. as someone who <i>loves</i> heartily celebrating holidays, i always want to make each one really special for our little family. but in my current chapter of life those holidays just keep coming and going so fast amidst all the action and wonder of our everyday!<br />
<br />
i've always adored valentine's day, because what is more worthy of celebration than <i>love</i>? i sure appreciate romantic love, but there are so many other brands of love that make life so rich as well. so i made sure that we had some good valentine's day celebrating around here no matter what! we had a special family home evening on the 13th february - moses helped me make our traditional heart-shaped cinnamon rolls and when daddy got home we did a "heart attack" in our living room (by writing things we love about each other on paper hearts and sticking them on the walls!). on the 14th, ian and i had a special valentine's date seeing cirque du soleil at royal albert hall! it was pretty mind-blowing and such a fun thing to experience together. we shared our favourite treat, an oreo milkshake from byron, on the way home and exchaged some simple tokens of affection. i sure adore my valentine.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0151 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jVb8hFfOb-8I_EhvVycPmYexy6vZN5ubACv28bGWUQFimZB_5v7amijfPIg97nKOEMHTlBaQwAVHiItRejZ-q-VcHdHUB-pXYQ5kNNDyoY2sMxgLgEeB81DuOZxw8fR1GLXtqq39ISQ9/s0/IMG_0151-2.jpg" title="IMG_0151-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0147 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYVRIAjIoFLC86CBnIklMLjWtvA_9oQx6rDHwW9KTDBnNkc-XKN8ucXvi2viSu5ZTBO-nMbXgdqUiGpTRZPGUYoB4LqDRFJT7A2vYFznZv7zyR37ZcsphwopXaOpogSgx-IS2cBm7-E0a/s0/IMG_0147-2.jpg" title="IMG_0147-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
that saturday, i routed my long training run to go past some of london's amazing valentine's displays. in my seven miles i only got to see a little handful of all the fun festivity around london, but what i did see was pretty spectacular. london is like me - really into holidays ;)<br />
<br /><img alt="IMG 0165 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirfgnoHTktLyq2enta83k9f7QFNMP8JDohsqAdvsM6NujK2PXEBDfBUmzi9RAzV0nRwJWbSzmohjVgABIQC-K2XM84pIWxQPUAycQ37DcIY2Nh3w1-XnGLXvMS6XS54i1i0T5DvArww6j/s0/IMG_0165-2.jpg" title="IMG_0165-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0174 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQxvNsqSAk64ZRbOp92ZWbOl9iGzp5NqrT10U9MX138uc99zkS9CloUPB040dGgGGOjPNykmQkMG6ykE2bhDQBCHk-nx00F9G53T2Bpx_rylbqzVS9fhee_4sthCN6G_SS1ej8gpnRP1Y/s0/IMG_0174-2.jpg" title="IMG_0174-2.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 0167 2" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXeBrByS7R1ykWoJHdj3VMMcYx1Ak79uxa9k06Vhad0-ZK6TJ7O2W0gIudV0BXHzWG00UA4pBXpUCqmDMZ1X1rZ1HeUiuWFdjcPkKLaFAySHoQKYvE0OTuof6-4ZyCvzGpSSIza_NTnn1/s0/IMG_0167-2.jpg" title="IMG_0167-2.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 0185 2" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jb0j9VkWqrXOKvpg9lnls5wwAUMOH6Za-YQyYrvEQjlG0X2fWbM7wLWigy4g93ZF9lyIBDAjsxo5a2F3OHkYb0GWwciGsTqX1xkUgyy7QuvFQmk7RVEMBvaz5eD1Ow2Ve0Ko9NhmPI_f/s0/IMG_0185-2.jpg" title="IMG_0185-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
i'm so grateful for all the romantic love, parental love, sibling love, friendship love, kindness-to-and-from-strangers love and heavenly love that fills the days of this and every chapter of my life. and even though i feel like i don't have the bandwidth to do a whole ton of holiday celebrating, i'm glad i could stop in the middle of february for a hot second and relish the blessing of love in my heart!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-81924433971002365412019-02-20T11:25:00.001+00:002019-02-21T14:13:43.031+00:00ten thoughts on a wednesday |49|<img alt="IMG 0216 2" border="0" height="812" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVjz3yKyT3U9O7pS2QfbRg40hnh9hXwaETupAhjNb0rAJvp3jnHeRRzNHYccRPsn3Ivu2rrr3w5OFKe07HmaVT74xPSMcaPQMQWMNTIURcpBKn4AuwCCb1_aluzmThOZoLKTi4__Mh2Ux/s0/IMG_0216-2.jpg" title="IMG_0216-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
one.<br />
i am so glad to be consistently reading books again, thanks to book club! for january, i picked the book and hosted. i chose <i>a place for us</i> and was so moved by it. my friends and i had a great discussion about the book, talking about how every child in every family is different and needs different things, about the ways that faith and community can shape us, about the importance of belonging. my main takeaway from the book and our evening chatting about it was this:<br />
<i>love has the power to transform only when it is not intending to transform. we help to fix others when we are not trying to fix them ... when we are purely loving them unfixed. </i><br />
a friend mentioned that it's kind of like those chinese finger traps - you can only get your fingers out when you relax and stop trying to get your fingers out. i like that analogy.<br />
truly unconditional love is the most powerful force in the universe!<br />
<br />
two.<br />
our second book club meeting of the year is tonight and we are discussing the book <i>educated</i>. woah! that memoir is <i>wild</i>!! it's amazing how different and crazy people's lives can be. i believe so strongly in the value of learning about people dissimilar from ourselves.<br />
<br />
three.<br />
moses has also enjoyed an increase in reading time lately. his desire for books is insatiable these days! we've started going to the library every tuesday and i read story book after story book after story book to him - he never gets sick of it. (meanwhile, gabriel crawls all over and pulls himself up to standing using the bookshelves with a lot of delight!) moses is really impacted by stories, so i love it when we discover a book that teaches an important life lesson in a fun way. i have been a little alarmed though by how often i feel a need to change the story around a little while i am reading - because it seems to be glorifying disobeying parents or fighting or something! it's a interesting line to walk in balancing exposing your children to not super positive things and keeping them from negative things.<br />
<br />
four.<br />
a couple of weeks ago, the unthinkable happened to me. i lost my phone!!!<br />
obviously i'm being overdramatic here ... but losing my phone has definitely showed me how crazy dependent i am on it, how tethered i am to it. this experience mostly made me feel super duper grateful for this little computer in my pocket, but also a little wary of it.<br />
we are relatively certain the phone was stolen - swiped from my pocket while i rushed down a crowded street - which is such a bummer. luckily we have a really old phone that we let moses use on flights that i could use until i got a new one, and we also have renters insurance that covered most of the cost of replacement. but the feeling of being violated like that is pretty icky.<br />
<br />
five.<br />
we had family movie night (in two parts, thanks to short attention spans!) this past week. we watched <i>the prince of egypt</i> to help teach moses more about his namesake. i had been telling our little boy stories about the prophet moses in the weeks prior and i am seriously so moved by them. moses was one super cool dude - and i'm so glad i have a little boy named after him! we have also spent some time recently talking about the angel gabriel. like his brother, our baby boy has a powerful namesake attached to events that profoundly changed the world. i hope my sons can be inspired by the prophet moses and the angel gabriel throughout their lives.<br />
<br />
six.<br />
spring starts appearing deliciously early here in london. there are already crocuses and daffodils peaking up in the parks and blossoms popping out on trees around our neighborhood. there's nothing like the promise of spring is there? it's so effervescently exciting! i love living somewhere with such distinct and vibrant seasons.<br />
<br />
seven.<br />
my valentine's day gift to my true love was ... 36 packs of baby wipes. hahaha! ian and i are (and ian especially is) of the opinion that, with our boys, there should <i>always</i> be wipes within pretty much an arm's reach. so we have about a dozen packs at a time scattered around the flat and in the buggy/diaper bag. something else ian feels strongly about is getting a good deal/saving money, and the wipes on our grocery-delivery website were on a raging sale right before valentine's day - perfect! super romantic ;)<br />
<br />
eight.<br />
i love my kids like crazy and genuinely adore hanging out with moses and gabriel all day every day. but i gotta say, this:<br />
<img alt="IMG 0227 2" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRW8KJGAumX0JxV5-tGU3RLsHQsJEQRmzejz8bZ12ciPKEiafMVUnGdh9A3UQnzMJArZBmV3Y1PIXUTj_1CtboMYmK3w8a5t1uVFe0ayMY9yX2AYdaPD33n_ytxf-0fm-MRZZp4S1G7oo/s0/IMG_0227-2.jpg" title="IMG_0227-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
felt like heaven after a chaotic morning the other day. the holy grail: both kids sleeping at the same time (in the same room!) during the day for an extended period of time!<br />
nothing makes my heart swell quite like watching my children sleep.<br />
<br />
nine.<br />
i've been using <a href="https://www.google.com/keep/">google keep</a> to manage my different to-do lists. i love it! in the new year i decided to migrate back to a digital calendar rather than a pen-to-paper planner and i'm liking my system of google calendar + google keep. i'm always looking for ways to be more organized and productive. and just when i think i have everything totally in order, the boys change and need different things and i have to readjust in my life as a stay-at-home-parent. it's an adventure.<br />
<br />
ten.<br />
every once in a while, i'm just walking around london on my way somewhere with the boys and i experience a little moment of elation thinking about how much i love my life. i am so, so grateful for this amazing city, my good health, wonderful relationships, the peace that comes from my faith, and probably most of all for my little family - these three crazy boys that i love very, very much.<br />
here's a few photos from life lately:<br />
<img alt="IMG 0006 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EhVfcDelSuklKSP1KoCZSN1dTM9WY2CBRCeMWTus5Dm67oZ1SVZ-AwdaLnGORNdmtdT-UPvMgs891Nu-TdirXKI-DYtIeQ9ORGQXYBn__O8JebJa1tVz3sYT7A3GP0TcXaFC07IDmuhj/s0/IMG_0006-2.jpg" title="IMG_0006-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
^^ a big group of girlfriends went to see <i>mamma mia</i> together as a little galentine's outing. it was such a blast - we definitely had a <i>full on</i> dance party on the back couple rows of the theatre during the curtain call. can you tell by our smiles in this picture that we had fun?? ^^<br />
<img alt="IMG 0011 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAdbGnhdrAimVjoAi2IDlnC2Qn8iclJ34xWXI_Pviqf9mpy8KNN6lSeG-NHDw3H0wFu2FZ-Frkr2FQwinW8UckS6UwJ1S-6si4sFmwuMft9vWeyL5o5DunuekpgqEI9Z4aTVl23W03r53/s0/IMG_0011-2.jpg" title="IMG_0011-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0014 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g5P1jRjmmLZ2vQAZb-V2gW0m-Ibzg_KwEoIeEmFeRzHEK5r-qnBIZnXRgIDo7aEToGxOuWkzjqyfBr-9e-B3EHYx-SC9Tx1hVJdwFL37SwN3wa1TqpYzoYqN1bVNoknFV3hzMKrjrbmb/s0/IMG_0014-2.jpg" title="IMG_0014-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
^^ joy school continues to be such a <i>joy</i> for moses - and for me! last week we hosted/i taught, and mo was ready (with his empty backpack on, haha), waiting at the window for his pals, a full forty-five minutes before joy school started ;) ^^<br />
<img alt="IMG 0140 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVi9GqNPmCoqgRBk9bjRB6mZsL2Kkr-r74wTqIApWs-8CF071q144MTDz7SREenOKo5o0PFrs8UBOkoch7vjNPtt7ajxTcSYSWawtPq5Z3bYTu5O_kmeSbr5U9MK-kn3LiqeGl6zE4YiM/s0/IMG_0140-2.jpg" title="IMG_0140-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0141 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZadg_srNvQxfAKRyrVD-WZRXhLT38ErSt45mw6NDLFzh8nkDYlmpzHSZkKkiJOCaldY61SsqrrNUXAXa6yKm0KfQJqhY9gFPxE4XhJBv9j5IfthPcm1WU7iUN17ZgQtU5R0_LAtXLKua_/s0/IMG_0141-2.jpg" title="IMG_0141-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
^^ a few days ago, my dear, dear friend/basically sister eva and her family came by for a visit during their trip to london. eva lived with my family for several years when she came to the states from bulgaria to study at the university of utah (i was in elementary school). she is an absolute <i>wonder</i> of a human. she spills out sunshine everywhere she goes and she just <i>glows</i> with faith and hope. i adore her and it was soooo fun to see her and spend time with her and her husband and three <i>amazing </i>children (all of whom she has homeschooled). i was so happy to introduce eva to my sons ... we haven't seen each other for many years. ^^<br />
<img alt="IMG 0154 2" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3bl8i16dDb4KTOvF9n0johwhyrgzsC5cWc2wlzAo1NnnA-6QD_0ZO4ruVOLFVOt5ZgR6xqBl8Wet2cRkHlGN_KZdUO0j7SjzCqs6NJQvEiH2PubQAamCy4TMjPIxCc9zDlOeFxY0SBe_/s0/IMG_0154-2.jpg" title="IMG_0154-2.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0225 2" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvo4OcZPzHdrT3z3qvDszJ3gsKPl7JBylZtra3Xji_KFAEEXj5O7tJGmLHQoej-egAyR6eu8oW8la4Zi0HWyoFuC3X9HYCvB50ZIn7bbOV7dV_XneE-U5Xr1wAwiuyDc9b8fDi1LvYBdm/s0/IMG_0225-2.jpg" title="IMG_0225-2.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0222 2" border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXnZmPzqHtrpsLkfb_qZXS2wIkqSD7QZiteD0dOQ1xNnGpW2LanninPxZl-4wnOSGBaXbuMecdoWkp4xxDrCikGOXxLKb0r_9Dc37fC2ip2ExptToi5xHaMuU0eD0w7h-u3DHmGBn6iGR/s0/IMG_0222-2.jpg" title="IMG_0222-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
^^ it's been getting light earlier and earlier and i have <i>loved</i> seeing sunrises (and moonrises!) on my morning marathon-training runs. ^^<br />
<img alt="IMG 0155 2" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOPlGG1bGttAOxWvOvhqE5YTGbJkSDT5oimhhEju_blIkj4F-1UCGKhm6zqn2t6vj1fDvp60-EjbNVaTAJ5XLMso2uCvvdEwuZY-FIkttW0oBUDJ5oAo8jrheN22BEcXVyhNftpzQjkTr/s0/IMG_0155-2.jpg" title="IMG_0155-2.jpg" width="650" /><br />
^^ gabriel playing in the sand at the playground with his buddy jackson. ^^<br />
<br />
happy wednesday! life is beautiful!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-62249133965296231912019-02-12T10:29:00.000+00:002019-03-03T15:57:22.841+00:00wright brothers lately<img alt="IMG 3464" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0sllwMuupSZu7LvGIegkMcn7lfEYMWMUIfy3cPmKnHPEoe3MGd4I7_WUSPOh-H_upvxT6eCnZdE2xGOWOpLextXgRAcBgSGvsaxJdCFCJwBVB_KgHsSuWV3SB8GIxSZyTkjOTLRG80BB/s0/IMG_3464.jpg" title="IMG_3464.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3463" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeXeehfXdQMNe1OcMRBvxfwsC48cmgVp2evHJeGhfUxfah0m8UaISe6BwFW82lmwcLdtNdZ7u5XwoD0e486aI-5jKQswmQ-DIa_XBdjA8NrSL0kbdkc9VCBSyDQ4U4UVOVraJVOGrPRjU/s0/IMG_3463.jpg" title="IMG_3463.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3461" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pcETaTWigs6u553l23czLIYBhF17dGp_xAoxxhP2JM4neZzwuUQwEvRmoPfaZZwJUunybhYIQh8S7AAye7RWP2m_9tbEmInGvqSf63eVEMWYZXwevABj5PtTV5Y1vUV5du3veSaTfdv8/s0/IMG_3461.jpg" title="IMG_3461.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3466" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxaJz3ArXywkoMIzWCcYLjWHHV3SHS-NbYfYGUbCJ2Lnydff9bZAZ3C2GufKDLqDrf31suQI17iotd_GFmuJEA911WOdbHmwUtXmrJaZU-G9V28j7xjjaWP1Q-dGXEdLhmeBszTu9kxo0/s0/IMG_3466.jpg" title="IMG_3466.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i love these little boy so. crazy. much. i honestly feel like i am going to burst sometimes with how richly i adore them and how deeply i care for them. i feel enormously blessed to be moses and gabriel's mom.<br />
<br />
both of the wright brothers are growing up and changing every day. here's a snapshot of them each, at 2.6 years and 9.6 months old, so i can remember as time flies past.<br />
<br />
<i>(the pictures at the beginning and end of this post, of the boys together, are from just after christmas, in their semi-matching christmas jumpers. the pictures of them on their own are from our trip to the canary islands - we just got back a few days ago!)</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">- m o s e s - </span> <br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 3587" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0aC7WiZk2SG0kWTu0cr9F9jhvDc7DVOMcy4nFkwkRfJUln0ys2AUD4m7gYw5qc-_CqS4WuJhqY47QOeHJjHJ16nr6cQytNNXTFYuQQgrs_pM4CZ9XBPndIiPG1cL445cYQ0iJbwPXTBN/s0/IMG_3587.jpg" title="IMG_3587.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3590" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbxGkwSuMh_lkf3VYrSNYnIyoQ3a0WB4OUTk6RSoy9lPvu6LZ96FM58EhwrT26HVmTYYLxkxVGoFuDDK8Mye5NuayRAyRW2Y9hcq5bslxMtjcTkpxOE3Ef5pqE5L2bVz4r8-HGKn5OqU_/s0/IMG_3590.jpg" title="IMG_3590.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3597" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5a8NaCIo4YCwIQyUfE6_y0M0LjjS6sPTN4cIMFnKPGXeOMMNjEyHAneBP49HqMqO6bR4FCwQC3ekL5Weg5k2IypNuVyQZESUJ1HEcnVhUv9pSWfDSpDe8Dl3nLAuHr8uXe5SKqQx6euQ/s0/IMG_3597.jpg" title="IMG_3597.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3595" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6NmDLvJfh2_ulMziBj1XtgvRNY4TV9RHIG3tISlcA_WiQ0KE2Mc8tQgCTixTK1eOUHf-ydOvCG1S1m3Zaa_Tz5q_ws7VPc_DCgnYpgj-X2qfSodgbnFQP9CI7HY4AUMn30Vlb3NPY5Be/s0/IMG_3595.jpg" title="IMG_3595.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
he's really a remarkably good, clear communicator and it's so fun to have conversations with him. some of the things he says really often right now are, "not right now, in a little minute," "ready, steady, go," "i <i>love</i> it!" and "mommy, can i please have..." he is constantly learning and using new words, like "actually," "usually," and "especially." he often repeats our names (mommy or daddy) more than once in a sentence when he's talking to us, and sometimes his brain goes faster than his words can and you can just tell there's so much he wants to get out!<br />
<br />
he continues to <i>love</i> stories and asks me to tell him a story at least a half a dozen times a day. sometimes i have to tell him that "my brain is really tired of stories and needs a break"! for the past six months or so he has been asking consistently for <i>jack and the beanstalk.</i> i seriously probably have told him that story more than a hundred times. he had a phase of loving "chicken stories" that his dad would make up, and lately if we are telling a story on the fly he likes to interject his own ideas for what happens next. he especially likes to make up names for characters in stories and they are always something totally off-the-wall like "hagaiaii."<br />
<br />
mo is very inquisitive and <i>full</i> of questions. lots of "why?" these days.<br />
<br />
he loves to sing and very often is making up songs around the house or in the buggy. his songs are mostly jibberish interspersed with actual words. these songs are such a fun little window into his mind!<br />
<br />
about a year and a half of requesting that he say please and thank you has finally paid off and mo has turned into quite the polite young man, saying the magic words without any prompting and very often.<br />
<br />
a couple of weeks ago, daddy gave moses a sticker chart (actually just an unused paper plate, ha!) and let him pick out some stickers at the store. mo was told that if he was very obedient for an entire day he could get a sticker on his chart, and when he earned five stickers he could go get ice cream with daddy! i so wish i had a video of when moses earned his first sticker and when he earned his fifth. you can't imagine the excitement and joy that was just <i>bursting </i>out of his little dancing, bouncing body. this week moses got a new chart and is going for five days of being very gentle.<br />
<br />
he started climbing out of his crib about a month ago, and last saturday we went to ikea to pick out a big boy bed! we haven't put it together yet, but mo is pretty pumped about it. he has gotten really good at waiting for "mr. sun to wake up" on his special clock (this means he can get out of bed and come wake us up).<br />
<br />
his favourite food continues to be mangoes - he's passionate about them. he's been a bit picky when it comes to eating lately, but it helps when we use imagination to bring some animals to mealtimes. (moses usually shows us how a hedgehog or warthog eats the food we are having!) once he takes a first bite he usually loves whatever it is we are eating - but that first try can be so difficult! every single morning he has at least two bowl-fulls of multigrain cheerios and milk. and every single morning he says, "i <i>love</i> cheerios and milk!"<br />
<br />
mo is so excited when daddy comes home at the end of the day. he waits in the big bay window in front of our flat. sometimes he will go there totally unprompted as soon as he feels like it's probably about time for daddy to be home and says things like, "daddy, where are you? come!" when he sees his dad, he gives a big wave, waves his chest to sign "i love you," and runs to the front door to give hugs and kisses!<br />
<br />
he can now say a prayer pretty much entirely by himself. 99% of those prayers include "thank you for farm animals and thank you for the grinch." but pretty much each day he thinks of something different and thoughtful to include in his prayer. often when mom or dad is praying aloud, moses pipes up to contribute something to the prayer. last night while i was saying a blessing on the food, moses said, "and please bless the refugees." we hadn't talked much about refugees since christmas (when we decided as a family to donate some money to a refugee camp), but mo had remembered and wanted to pray for the children whose pictures i showed him.<br />
<br />
we have started going to the library every tuesday. moses got his very own library card and is quite the proud owner of that thing. his appetite for books seems quite insatiable, and he usually gets <i>really</i> into one of the four books that we check out from the library at the end of each visit. his favourite books in the world are <i>richard scarry </i>books (gifted to him by his grandparents).<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 3728" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E1RLZeVAaIfHqQXvWfDNh4ao9Y_bhQD5QN-JEzqCx-7ScTGvLJq_DxZVhIqN6Pf9vYzmT9ECU0N5reYcvZHl-SG35TFP8p0o8M-hinjEqLo_rO-2blkbZLiZfQGGc5Q7Qq0_T7mZy0sG/s0/IMG_3728.jpg" title="IMG_3728.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3733" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkolyxQKwUOWBM89Sm-HMOBifIQ1-_PlXp6LtFGh-CnF0CrmmfxOo1XiF6_prkWVsmj7wT3JJXnIy5K9PefBV22ozaToyR-1wh-OsbhTQV4gvumgaki4NJCQhxX8_r9FcMc3ki3BiQFpU/s0/IMG_3733.jpg" title="IMG_3733.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
mo has started saying "i love you" spontaneously, and the person he says that to the most is definitely gabriel. he adores his little brother. he gets so excited when he hears that gabriel has woken up in the mornings and rushes in to him, saying "gabey baby, gabey baby!" in a sweet baby talk voice. he is a fantastic helper when it comes to gabriel's needs and he gives his little bro dozens of hugs and kisses everyday. he loves to make gabe laugh, and seeing them giggle together is mommy's favourite thing ever!<br />
<br />
moses <i>loves</i> painting, bath time, and dancing (his moves just get better and better - he's now perfected a spin-on-one-leg), and his deep passion for the colour blue continues. he's getting a bit better at independent play, but he usually really, really wants mom or dad to play <i>with</i> him. he's into games lately, like <i>hide and seek</i> and <i>duck duck goose</i>. he <i>always</i> gives away where he is hiding immediately after "ready or not, here i come" is said, haha. we also have a few little games with dice that he loooves.<br />
<br />
it is still very often that moses is found crossing his ankles. we first noticed him doing this in the womb via ultrasound and it's been a distinct mannerism of his ever since!<br />
<br />
i have been impressed by his awareness of others' emotions. he has said to me, "mama, you look upset," and "mama, you're not running out of patience?"<br />
<br />
moses is <i>loving</i> joy school and has developed some really sweet friendships with his classmates. he gets soooo excited to see his friends, especially when joy school is at his flat. he is a really excellent listener during lesson time, and he's struggling with being gentle during free play time. he sings the joy school rules song multiple times a day (i think it just gets constantly stuck in his head!).<br />
<br />
he recently earned 10 pounds by doing 10 jobs around the house (cleaning the toilets, helping sort laundry, taking out the trash, etc). he saved one pound to "give to jesus" (for tithing) and spent the other 9 on an awesome pack of animal toys that we ordered from amazon.<br />
<br />
mo loves to laugh and often laughs very heartily at himself - things he says or does that he finds totally hilarious. he has an amazing memory and absorbs things he is taught remarkably well. he is learning how to control his body and his voice (homeboy can be wild and <i>loud</i>!) and likes to test boundaries and see what happens when he disobeys. he's affectionate and gives excellent hugs and kisses, and he is probably the most excitable person i've ever met.<br />
<br />
we love our moses soooo much!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">- g a b r i e l - </span><br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 3620" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXrGWWbJx5a5w_DL-rffvlZSkyBuaj__KgO_tBjEh_k3bT6dz6gU3Uyu2U8CM5y37phPipPJ-xBsETBAZ8ay1gyUEI37FJ-LWFpmeawdbH8S3GhpQQrQ8iJlSsFePAqfJkBJC0yTUbZ4Z/s0/IMG_3620.jpg" title="IMG_3620.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3622" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7OCwHC174hVmLs62B_jsS84t3VgEWqN71WhyphenhyphenWZg12BViWYHWZwlS8WhwSDNk95IKyRjj2jVI5MehyPXSmESIJDOsRiMJNnbQj89lZ5jVrnTGFeHaa20ZudTlBNj1nJ-cQaqXi7sW57R-/s0/IMG_3622.jpg" title="IMG_3622.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3623" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2y-wPrTPakR6Y4fWQIhGttBxcPkyPniQLj0t7tzdNgUjIg3aRt8TNCfW_VasdU7gQoLDQLq2q1w78lOm53eRSHqKu1q-RaeGv8r9qJLsPXITgxbsMeSVryQdANzu0ClQAI4OwhjBC12h/s0/IMG_3623.jpg" title="IMG_3623.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
he's officially, as of yesterday pretty much!, a crawler! for weeks he has been getting around pretty much any way he can figure out besides actually crawling - scooting and dragging himself both on his belly and his bum. something must have just clicked and now he's scrambling around on his hands and knees! he has also started pulling himself up to kneeling and standing, especially in his crib.<br />
<br />
four big teeth popped through the top of his gums all at essentially the same time at the beginning of februrary. while baby boy produces lots of drool, he doesn't seem bothered by teething pretty much at all.<br />
<br />
gabey is <i>such</i> a giggly baby. he has the <i>best</i> laughs that range from chuckles to squeals to hearty belly laughs. once you get him started he has total giggle attacks that go on for a quite a while. he particularly loves being tickled and being spun around or tossed up a little.<br />
<br />
he <i>loves</i> eating (as evidenced by the pictures above!). and he often eats so much that you wonder where the heck he puts it all! he has jumped up percentiles in weight from his low at 0.3% to now about 6% - hooray! his favourite food bar none is breastmilk. we are going on a trip without the kids the day after his first birthday so we are working towards weaning but gabriel <i>really</i> loves nursing. when i hold him in a way that it's obvious that he's about to get milk, he starts kicking his legs and smacking his lips like crazy, just soooo excited. of solid foods, he likes bread (with peanut butter), crackers, strawberries and avocado the best.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 3676" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwp0frCuY9if8okP582ng5ucjb5xbYS1TI_jZ2HPr4X9v0uO7yoQsNBWQr-yXqciEAPcd7EBQkBT83dJWm_XTdRCm_Y9kNJwfNa7mgjBna9auqLXTnL-Kt2UYM5gIXxN9guuCjkoywQJd/s0/IMG_3676.jpg" title="IMG_3676.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
his two tricks are that he often gives kisses when asked and the sometimes repeats back "mama" and "baba" when prompted. we are working on some other tricks like waving, clapping, signing, etc.<br />
<br />
if we give gabriel an exciting toy or something new to eat, he often will look up at us with his huge blue eyes and expression that looks a bit like, "wow! this is awesome! can you believe this?" and then a big huuuuge smile with his two darling dimples.<br />
<br />
gabe adores his brother. whenever he sees moses he truly <i>lights up</i>. he can watch mo dance or run or play for long periods of time, mesmerized. he has started hugging and kissing moses back, which is so sweet!<br />
<br />
he kicks his legs whenever he is excited, and he is verrry excited when daddy comes home from work.<br />
<br />
gabey is a good sleeper for the most part - now sleeping from 8pm to at least 7am straight through most nights. he seemed to have a growth spurt a few weeks ago and was sleeping close to 13 hours a night (as well as gobbling up sooo much food!).<br />
<br />
he is wiggly as all get-out, and often getting his diaper changed and clothes on is a big feat that probably counts as a workout for the day. he hates having his face wiped clean but he loves making a mess while eating.<br />
<br />
he can be <i>very</i> loud, but that loudness is not often crying. 90% of the time it is happy squealing. he's really discovered his vocal cords in the past few weeks.<br />
<br />
gabriel loooves swinging in a swing at the playground and he looooves bath time with his brother.<br />
<br />
we love our gabriel soooo much!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 3473" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV_upM2G0WvQsG1189WySSF3_N_O0ht_CZeKAX8fb0-PoubLZAHnCWU3v_VGrFyy6wCtZ7dvkhqOEslueHAwD7L0nxdomeQqtPvSXA8Rjq12MyURcTNy-6Z4hV-ePOarughlPI_QmDF65/s0/IMG_3473.jpg" title="IMG_3473.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3474" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMk29eUBVfjkOMQ3ZA0xFwLEwpLlIeg755PbNqqcZB7h_lPEM81v800j3SJ39ggHs4kOPsscz5MfY4E5yYeJJGrPN9lICWpr4IsWl5dU9LkOLs_6I0Q9PH-9UVMnEZu8NBULpRT0JPINgZ/s0/IMG_3474.jpg" title="IMG_3474.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3477" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ98iV2-orsM-eH_UIyZKQC06dj3cf4454vj3OfeNg0gGMaGNqPz2UaBGH3JUhNTgRuUs7LzurylnBr7NP4ncIS2rCFxRW6fjbp8Y1MHZv7u4SvpG7RklO2-C36wwx0vtMi4RO5HkKIBU/s0/IMG_3477.jpg" title="IMG_3477.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3481" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqILARAq358xpBkBB28mUFOdVE01NvEvSwlXv1cq1i0RNwR7F0Gv2RFW65Y_NpoYD3r2JsOGA5X6boAkElthPDnFuM7DXzCNalZJnF7hmu2XA2Tx2aXyrUnvZsE8Iy_sCm-IAqCE3w_HH7/s0/IMG_3481.jpg" title="IMG_3481.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ian and i are just obsessed with these two wonderful boys. every single night we lay in bed and talk about how awesome they are. so often we share a moment when we just look at each other incredulously as our hearts melt at something moses or gabriel has done. we have so much to learn from these special souls. sooooo glad they are our sons. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-----------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i have a question for you, blog readers. what do you think about posts like this one?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">as my children are growing, i am becoming more and more sensitive to their privacy. it's not like i have some huge internet following, but a good amount of strangers read this blog. i want to keep my blog public, because many have suggested they enjoy reading it and find it uplifting, and because i feel that i am very enriched by interactions i have with and insights i gain from connections made here. but this blog's primary purpose is family record-keeping - it's a place for me to organize pictures and keep tidbits like these that i really want to remember. so i want it to include details like this about my children. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">do you think this is violating their privacy? would you mind information like this about <i>you</i> as a small child posted on the internet? should i keep posts like this in a separate place so they aren't available for all to read? or are these types of posts good ones to share? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">what do you think? i'd really value the sharing of any perspectives/thoughts on this!</span>charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-74845039073779362352019-01-31T14:50:00.002+00:002019-02-12T09:10:28.716+00:00bye january!<img alt="IMG 0150" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk6JVBfxn8-7jden6iYjSxAB7SjTlhB7WU1sbaVICYQNLWNZsBpvuhkVUAbovLzS6z4tVI5zTtXtaFyxmREvFnvWanqm_vt4PA-7xWSH6eCea4h1OqD6UtoUEUoJEJu-gsSFjU5I2Pa2m/s0/IMG_0150.jpg" title="IMG_0150.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0161" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9ghXfbcedq63J-QTzM34SKUl6dQSm-MI-M-EhPwGQ263jZTSztKAMsfNhg83WnCWol22a6LYPbk-cO-yuzD2O-REpWXUIAypiTX2Eqy1TdEQH930tx8EFup2q58t_1YwvWbJHsqeu_w5/s0/IMG_0161.jpg" title="IMG_0161.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0165" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheikUOfr8C_QctIxQcjwix326pKLBzyY6mO5BKH4-gLiYJUqyp9NEDlgFKTvEJTKGCE65sZosbFuabPaxVgXhV2Rfrp0gajI_ic3jAaGghQ0uq1Kr38Y2Bg3HPrnKRsk7xpc0_yzLVIash/s0/IMG_0165.jpg" title="IMG_0165.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0157" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePGzu5YvqDfC32tL6jbe7RUbDwdtwybqVCDBDE-mEbWmZyx_DtKZTJGSv6C0O08OKDDYO3UzIBED4vDNoV-2TinTfj15eDJgL_cIA4gbEIgmBFpWPrqxtpTMPp6-wYcZu_DHY_PdbGyUq/s0/IMG_0157.jpg" title="IMG_0157.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
as opposed to many other times of year, i'm just never sad to see january go... i'm looking forward to some fun things in february, and then to <i>spring</i> (!!). but despite the general dreariness, we've had a good beginning to 2019 in london. here's some tidbits of life lately...<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0190" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD6rBDM-wdqw4OCzXL0tuPDL0yoBu7hfEw3udPEFIsCrlZBdD_-jobRwgdN9PF1n_TUOcAgCY8KDXYQvkTxwRCkKKVXJBcYDcCBQKCrB5GEUnAvDvH6TrTypCNvY9cg-_1UCFTGe_ioFY/s0/IMG_0190.jpg" title="IMG_0190.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0195" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1d4JCwaE7yMujuA1sHqmvsSkjA91z8zPryp95OPDZkjqT697rlKuvfTRR12mQ9sKBDZXC5W7WxfFRfnNYt2hG4GwCC0lLjahrd5z0ItiXpcGt72cMP8yurwu37quu0AuJIzXO3CHA4j7/s0/IMG_0195.jpg" title="IMG_0195.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
ian is currently on a five day, six city business trip in europe. we miss him like crazy when he is away (and we are so happy that's not very often).<br />
<br />
moses and i continue to love, love, love joy school. this month's unit for our group has been <i>the joy of the earth</i> and that's been good to focus on during a time of year when there's not naturally a lot of joy for the earth in the air ;) moses has developed some great friendships with his joy school classmates and is learning so much.<br />
the other day after the joy school kids left our house (it was my turn to be the teacher), moses sat at our front window and hollered, "asher, claire, come back! i want to say i love you to you guys!" <3<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0268" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylwBk0moK3Pa0Lmxp5G42kFG3nKIv_uXtauyqqHcvGFR242D5En_U_LvQoERU38WeC9QOLUVRItX05gLnTCHYp9EaxeDc3yAWack_2bK-Oz4sifw6G8H1t85wyvolmn6ZGYHOjiA3hPEA/s0/IMG_0268.jpg" title="IMG_0268.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0258" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk932L4kwHbb2QuonAMCbgouLQe7XJcXD0x1lqK-_X8lYfRU8mQP1w4IC65SSe21nU9dF52aBrUd8bRx5PfuBYN9smvcxzDYF1-huMbFkemKPsEBcdAOBugLiR7qnMDHwW23R3tiqmVDgS/s0/IMG_0258.jpg" title="IMG_0258.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^ a little peek at gabey's new teeth coming in on top, and this is the face moses gives if you ask him to give "the biggest smile ever." haha. ^^</span><br />
<br />
i hosted book club last night. i was in a book club that kind of fizzled out the second half of last year, so i decided to take initiative to resurrect it. because i haven't read many books in the past few years and miss reading ... a group of friends reading along with me is so motivating to make the time for books! this month i got to choose the book and we read <i>a place for us</i>, which was recommended to me by my sister. i was really moved by this book and finished it two days ago with tears rolling down my cheeks. our discussion last night about it was so, so great ... and i was pretty proud of the simple but pretty and delicious food spread i prepared :)<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0271" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJohpO7jo23yRJjM4SV7IDrCe_-ofe35iFU-iI9jULggJnX8OAOWJHSli8vvZyz_5GfDj80zFHpiIW2uPkbVyP8YFrF22G0l1LqpiCJ3vIRKGuQO-p-92yPDpLpOqaCVyoNz2-UoADzD-/s0/IMG_0271.jpg" title="IMG_0271.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0282" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLYi-3PUUVKUWKaWy2KbccqoBd7c4Qvi7i50gmhnqtN0qMKYmeZrCkuAXzqZTHurOMcpsWoAVwsKC5LJpEbLxkHHBxDD3sBOo005bCAUaZOW-S15Uu7TJdu7tIQ1BuaI3mB83UU97S9Mp/s0/IMG_0282.jpg" title="IMG_0282.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
gabriel is getting more mobile by the minute and four teeth just popped through his top gums! he's eating, sleeping, and growing a lot lately. he's even moved up to the <i>second</i> percentile in weight - hooray! still our tiny baby but hopefully he'll keep up the percentile climbing.<br />
<br />
ian recently took on a new volunteer position at church -- he is now a counselor to the bishop of the congregation of young single adults that meets here in london. this is an opportunity to grow and serve that we are taking on as a family ... and it's both exciting and overwhelming.<br />
<br />
marathon training is going well, although my hip and knee have given me some trouble lately - some kind of it band issue. (how am i old enough to say something like that, haha?!) i've been listening to podcasts while i run (i've been so gripped by <a href="https://thecoldpodcast.com/">this one</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily">this one</a> keeps me up on news out of my home country). it's a treat to be able to run when it's not dark on saturdays -- every weekday i run around 6am when it's pitch black outside!<br />
<br />
a couple of weekends ago, ian and i had a little "staycation." we left the boys with some friends for 24 hours and went to a really lovely hotel that we could use points to book. we plowed through a list of things we had been needing to talk about, went on a long run together along the thames, lazed about in hotel robes, had some fun meals out, watched a movie in bed, slept in, and just enjoyed being together. we missed the boys, but it was great to miss them ;)<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0173" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQpDGt-eX9EMGMdj3AcFOcTOFEZz2-kfXbGVtd8qmrhYsvsa7qAnTfwZYmUm8brYrz-RvEAzxth5I8wxBQEePoM2HjJEeofkF7c5FG6V-dcOtB05qievvf_KPiBP7pQpAVpKXUINldHH4/s0/IMG_0173.jpg" title="IMG_0173.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6606 copy" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72f4Dqj0fLbMrRTcICzFKg71TaGZRLanmSt27KXtaiIf5FgJCE_7KHF6lh8_ISu-NRN6L71zpMD7bpJ6z2m80_5o12HPlKzlrM12AZAso_nn2_lmOnlkygFAP1TAgyPhvZwpWIRZ0Pcja/s0/IMG_6606+copy.jpg" title="IMG_6606 copy.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^ our hotel is that lit-up-blue building, which used to be london's city hall! we could see into the london eye pods from our room's window. we maaay have hooked up my phone (with the app for our video monitor) to the big screen so we could spy on moses sleeping while we kicked up our feet in our plush robes. haha. ^^</span><br />
<br />
moses and gabriel <i>adore</i> each other, and seeing them laugh together is one of the very greatest joys i've ever experienced.<br />
<br />
we had a great family day at the zoo last saturday. moses has been listening to this toddler song that says, "we're going to the zoo; we can stay all day," and he has been asking us so sweetly for a few weeks, "can we please go to the zoo, and stay all day?" so we made it happen :) we're always so impressed by how active the animals at the london zoo seem. all four of us had a blast.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0201" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IJCB0CxOuqFtyOMyDYYrI9b4v2eiMVVnU7PGaGZRT53hbod2CMZ4p0NJk4Sj0Q6D_YprhuQlNOUq37xvBNAP8SKyiZU-9b5JMOdRcxPWXr86tXBRgRNEC92HqG3hAXyWfGndDA_8RPyh/s0/IMG_0201.jpg" title="IMG_0201.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0211" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXX6APek5Vvpn4TXgGtWaMe1LsoFPsj7F5s3mouRaKF2HqRz4IrZUPkv97RfPPxAcoD0_jG3aQwNrXBol80bxwJHlNXm19LubV9lCb9dSaiZ7M2u-1A3qDnv1oi1woeQU7VwuCk5e8Vah/s0/IMG_0211.jpg" title="IMG_0211.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0229" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbT3CEkPJpsQZgc6wzPl20SfUDQp151oy_oUFVd3HlL0K2y4k7eT4oqQ8cpt225fFyQDUm6EBRIhYI4p61upUcT0Fb70jQuVQXLvfL4BxutCKJdnov1-fHWkR-FkuPxRAFTZZ_4zAMmWm/s0/IMG_0229.jpg" title="IMG_0229.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0235" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaIekS1B2YlRnWTFq6nl8kifqZqTFgctAyiEgEyWVHVeYlvGZ1COeuQoyW3WRM5eUsD9r83YXMpPpFFm-zUJ_2rPNuB3fvZE0GR8ynw3rAuUkMtuOlAX_Xa-e2UQDuDJF9WN2QKlUczzd/s0/IMG_0235.jpg" title="IMG_0235.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0217" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqINq6aKIyO_os3Yavhp4TkfieypQhj_Y_VgQIFOoeHt3qA18ZVVxYcaKkXB32GCS_K8VAEA1MQR8c2whZOxNEBc30c0hCuPlGP66OQvo6TgWq1-YL2w702ulfAaGmV7WMB9jt24gXDvlX/s0/IMG_0217.jpg" title="IMG_0217.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6623 copy" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYbBZVvAfQo7YAzRFgb48EDUC5U90d9bsjW8jdEoXyEpvw3xrhenCUwW27wtpxMRKmk0gGNdRyXMZvpfLSqfZapnOUWQ0ocCPKAw9L0QTPQKl792cyAt6b3uQU__geIh_92QJpoVl8cep/s0/IMG_6623+copy.jpg" title="IMG_6623 copy.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i love my life. even and especially in midst of the january blues.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 0279" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbcMRf6qn6hMWQYHJzbjWmgomV_iGwipZJmuj-34jIV55403R438lr4DiY1qSXoQG226RsHtMrBGgL2rbtJtd0jAjRGg2knft_Z0gJCXS_-D162UCw4rZevh8E4SdSvBOgRsXNyIqXVRS/s0/IMG_0279.jpg" title="IMG_0279.jpg" width="650" />charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-56826655706850683012019-01-16T13:42:00.001+00:002019-01-16T13:43:12.386+00:00ten thoughts on a wednesday |48|<img alt="IMG 0005" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7OWBHOyRXzZgCev5PEv3qKRHpDszNQRsI4dpYh3XajEoqd0U3QHaZoqUdFcqGmFK2oLtA4e2lGpAwGc0zzTY7xNiFxAVUq7rLP07oueY3V97iTShz2GN3wh3Xcn0AYNJJj2w-bD54IBR/s0/IMG_0005.jpg" title="IMG_0005.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0017" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e2Ucp23ybthMYni2F0mz42VjOypgWWk4mtB-l01TZyhQQd8GWBFyVChDZP8yTufnUvOD87AxC8XYCVCQTFnLEyA6xjDXIuSwirOCBL2q7L0NieKDUwe4JkiSxsJFcQELb9N3fT_KntRK/s0/IMG_0017.jpg" title="IMG_0017.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />one.<br />i'm taking january off of social media (which, for me, includes mostly instagram and a couple of facebook forums/groups). i've had a few "social media breaks" in the past, but this is the longest i've ever gone without scrolling through online "feeds" since they became a thing (which is kind of crazy, when you think about it!). i'm just trying to take a step back and consider the purpose of social media in my life. it is definitely something that i want to be a part of my life but i want to be thoughtful about what amount and type of space it fills in my every day. it's wild to think about how much this online world has expanded in the past few years. i absolutely love keeping up with friends and family and gaining information and inspiration from different sources through social media. but it feels good to be on a bit of a break.<br />
<br />
two.<br />last saturday, gabriel had his first haircut! since the moment this little guy was born, we have adored his wild and awesome hair. but it was time to tidy it up a little :)<br /><img alt="IMG 0030" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJwbZV977ak_yxDbZPHnZL62fAhORsiqIEJSbk9QKk1LXqqFqVen8l4zbBVCgBC7NTJonXqbGtLrEiOAZcSV4bnSbHmsMbBdtcFl-Sfi6Vl-OdrL0xpqi5VHMQ7MGtRoA21yZ5Puzyi6R/s0/IMG_0030.jpg" title="IMG_0030.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0032" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBB6gJH5LAn_NMFZSLHCvpyo106ZaZw4rMpP41MRIKcsqlmyGHuNzBVOQ5GKBQbvkQPbfMTDipMyWob6Ox_reCnCoR0g0yryGbgAkxm2_YYJ4QC-gn2rwnLFT897WuxBHA8oyBr_mKwAe/s0/IMG_0032.jpg" title="IMG_0032.jpg" width="323" /><br />little gabe was a champ throughout this new experience, and got to have his big brother right next to him also getting a haircut at the same time. he now looks so much older to me!<br /><img alt="IMG 0035" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqSt9BPzmRkmPNkKBsk63Il4kmNFE5-KYUVOmA-ssq9vfcwYfZp1J-jknFbsvkmavnc1YdJ-I80Z8Y5v4dUcV3mCe-Fm3aSW_fFsnxo0nKc2PIV3_e0YPLwBY975yoVUNtqcwyzaPGXm-/s0/IMG_0035.jpg" title="IMG_0035.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0041" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAVjJeEltoxocmHKbbqGSJUEtmBZZQN4M85BAGbseSvTvfPPl60-C3ySjGpat8kSrtl7r3IqJlowFht3We4gB7GLHhJCXh3gL79wNVB3UM-fAWB5YDlYVJH4EIKF7j4r8Wsgqe52WjMSt/s0/IMG_0041.jpg" title="IMG_0041.jpg" width="323" /><br /><br />three.<br />it is sooo dreary in london these days. i always say that london is <i>spectacular </i>ten months of the year (not just great, but truly spectacular) ... but we pay for that a bit with january and february. it's not frigid cold (which i appreciate), but it is just sooo gloomy with really short daylight hours and gray skies. i feel so lucky to have a beach vacation to look forward to: we are going to the canary islands at the beginning of february! we are using hotel points to stay for free at an awesome resort on tenerife, and even though it won't be swim-in-the-ocean warm, there will be heated pools and balmy sunshine. and no sightseeing schedule - just relaxing and playing and being together. i'm so excited.<br />
<br />
four.<br />speaking of traveling and sightseeing ...<br />some say that it's silly to travel with small children because they won't remember any of the experiences they have. i think that's a bit like saying it's silly to read with small children because they won't remember any of the stories. it's not about remembering, it's about developing! while our family trips can definitely be exhausting in some ways, i really feel that they are worth all the effort they require. traveling builds us and bonds us and broadens us.<br />
<br />
five.<br />a couple of weekends ago ian cashed in on a christmas gift i gave him - tickets to ride the longest slide in the world! how random is that?! ha.<br />
at olympic park in east london, where many of the events were held during the 2012 olympics, there's this crazy structure called the arcelormittal orbit. it is britain's largest piece of public art, a sculpture and observation tower. and, as of 2016, it has been home to the world's longest slide. ian somehow learned about this and got so excited about it (this kind of random, record-breaking thing is <i>right</i> up his alley). he had been wanting to go for ages. so i scheduled a babysitter, bought tickets for early january, and wrapped them up for christmas morning.<br />
i have to say, riding that slide was seriously really, really fun. and we had a great time exploring the observation tower and bits of the park.<br /><img alt="IMG 0049" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3ualmN1dDuBM-NvXCcp1u1nSHDCxp3YgFCuwAE1uoYERJTT1bZvjpNjFGUyemDKp4ZzGZ_3I9nkYotUAuuQH-c33arD62bs_DYFoWyoZ7TN5nsj_uvvvCIwgUM3XWUT3P-3QQoT95VUS/s0/IMG_0049.jpg" title="IMG_0049.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0050" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3lcPdiilK690JmPVv_K-rF1M8OV7tJ1IG-ZAPVQgaKfwI5pXSFgy7o0ZV8Jh95j4AQGnEK5fLn6YgJFDy9Gu59Wm_7xcub-D8nHfF7PFgTFyD0gpWB5w4m6NLgtneB1K9xbkEsZRZMGj/s0/IMG_0050.jpg" title="IMG_0050.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 0055" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE5oaI05CY2q2kwkzCZ4zH7pe_AFzt0IGAGmT-CVCi2kcU7nKBHjKTet1od1yRx8-PnnhmI3ZeNsWsmjyPk1gX7cfNmLtSDcoiEGRW0rvq9m-imJ1tRLmTiRNZCPK4usDhIpvW19SIgde/s0/IMG_0055.jpg" title="IMG_0055.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0061" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXZBekcJi-StmkKieVju9un8UhhSFM8fLUgkPZE8dkEpEEn-qulpXrSV7aD5fLknkJZZ68mBa-D-YbNdtfD3jImt2AuVN9_z-skdz-6245Cfx9htW01YumNoNWtmvg4ycK5Ly9KPAvtGI/s0/IMG_0061.jpg" title="IMG_0061.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 0059" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwGcfLYekbC29TVS8pmHCT71GFfVmDzYT5AKGOZJZuMHbddPwQ8_ERJe6X8wEMYdON2A8XfwxUAH1H1V15-eVbgWSUyKEsoana7v3-k_s37GbNVaiXgIJt7W5N1jAGAjZ69WeEToAB_0b/s0/IMG_0059.jpg" title="IMG_0059.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0066" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xg0Eor9czya21YMnhYo_Y59iVBlusMLyaRY2nvo_H3ce1SE25JimBSKs7vSiBfK2agZIk22OfQrruCwe1yCJKkt_vqDdGmq3ulzCQXO2RI-ohSo_hefkvBfQRyjYlBeLV_HYOy_tJjOk/s0/IMG_0066.jpg" title="IMG_0066.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 0070" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwKUrwANdJQhvSlazJ3UZTSZtvuNeuuPLZQpgZdUxitODtR3MFVDBaZcrf5izD2m_4zzvua5zbOj1GXHGb2uCVnKwui5UhhcSkbOFumlhiIbZD_uPtFDBwf7Da7-AIstVTCrcE0n228ID/s0/IMG_0070.jpg" title="IMG_0070.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0075" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4C7wq2t08eoCjXiSLRojnh3dHIyApJJjL5non6PwkaPQ3GesQ_31aXp21jI6ES5iuC86s0aTb0vXPocZGrw0GsELG1EcVxmlkn5UPOIbZeLr12gYjmHpT9J0FALrN-68Rc0X7O7ULlVb/s0/IMG_0075.jpg" title="IMG_0075.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
six.<br />i've felt my faith growing lately as i've sincerely questioned it. this past saturday we went to the temple and while inside i tried to dig deep in asking myself if the rich peace i felt there was self-created or culturally-conditioned. and as i earnestly consider that, i just can't deny that it's real - so much bigger than me and my circumstances. this is just one small example of experiences i have had trying to strip my faith down to its core, examining how it may be contrived or influenced.<br />
<br />
seven.<br />my oldest niece, elle, had long layovers in london on her way to and from a trip with a couple friends to spain and portugal. it was sooo great to spend a little bit of time with her (and her pals) in our home town, especially because i haven't had much of a change to really get to know her as an adult (she's twenty). she's seriously so awesome - i am so impressed with her. we've always been buddies and i've loved her since the day she was born (i got to be one of the first people she ever met when she was a few hours old and i was twelve years old), but it's really fun to connect even more as grown-ups.<br />
<br />
eight.<br />my marathon training has officially begun in earnest! i am following a twenty week training plan, which started this past monday. i am soooo grateful for my healthy body. that said, i definitely can feel that i am getting older ... i'm feeling all achey and creaky after runs, ha! i'm trying to be careful to really take care of my joints to avoid injury in training. and i'm getting pumped up for the stockholm marathon on 1 june 2019!<br />
<br />
nine.<br />i am <i>loving</i> our new sunday schedule. we've switched meeting times with the other congregation that meets in our building and now start church at 9am instead of 11am. i love just waking up and getting going, and our walk to church through the empty streets of kensington. the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints used to hold three hours of meetings on sundays, but that was just reduced to two hours to allow for more time building faith in the home. so now we finish church at the same time we used to start church ... which means our sundays just feel so luxuriously long! we have loved doing a "sunday lesson" together at home and talking about ways we can reach out to our congregation and our larger community as a family.<br />
<br /><img alt="IMG 0106" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qgwq9fF6e0lAEz_j43GIQDUefHseQhDbZOD3o6Oxa3TzvubbD1OSwi8wUimXfD3ehKPes2Hgm1aerJyX3-EO6hLB5SkQ4FsUqpVON7mNBjx0eErlP37YLr5MXeRGsbrwxyTNmpW1cwIA/s0/IMG_0106.jpg" title="IMG_0106.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0119" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4A65wCox28jxTjqvD_cWzO3piMlXdsSkpp8QuRUfX_Mr1W0xQXNFbgQfBFo9VUAeh-3MXvCpH6HwuAxqmsQ1D3V_3WViIPsVe-tSgsH0fPAj8X-dWWiu-8HHh3Ma_Tov3sIxFuj4-wRK/s0/IMG_0119.jpg" title="IMG_0119.jpg" width="323" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">^^ pictures from a babysitting playdate with one of mo's favourite friends, and a big babysitting swap we did at the temple last saturday. ian is a total toddler magnet. ^^</span><br />
<br />
ten.<br />i'm guessing that several of my ten thoughts posts have ended with this one ... but i just have to say (again and again..): i <i>love </i>being moses and gabriel's mom. i feel so grateful that i can be their primary caregiver and that i've chosen to spend all day everyday with them. gosh it is hard and can be totally crazy but man i love it. watching these two grow and playing with them and teaching them and learning from them and giggling with them and cuddling them when giggles have turned to tears - it's just the best. the love i feel for these two little boys is outrageous.<br />
<br /><img alt="IMG 0134" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGppfWT2SdRQw2KpFt9BgKK_Nl9JT8Mp7khFd4kCDkEMgalAqeF9I3ZaHqqehlDP0Ry2DArhsjDA7eY0HvlFO9nN5b7PIEEN1kkdW6x1RxAZF8wNjivJ0RUJbaGe5Xc2Pc1pdIn7GyF-Mm/s0/IMG_0134.jpg" title="IMG_0134.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0137" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3KaeVriDwEZmzbOby7slXTUwTQd11hfMHJuKgWBMYtpuY4BSCQaTkF7Jp1JaKgB2wxgycIB2Xlmo4J9ca7dtmyFYFkXZFef-TBc6oqxPKSl5nduTaa8dxewSP6JmqOyFPI9ea45tj1J9/s0/IMG_0137.jpg" title="IMG_0137.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 0141" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ67OgAvExk2k1XBsV9rihoY0kCT9b-ymgV5jn35O1qgABIS3pHdzDqfIhnaR4rS2EXjQFGAFPWKysGzqA2ynY2kqQAH1ehzBqjR4dUq8XGQ8oNQ1DOx5C3puVqqADIm9sIrmWjofmc3a/s0/IMG_0141.jpg" title="IMG_0141.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0145" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdCIGCZkeB6OdbS2a7iMuAU1q8kWOYPFDOQfAkw4MngC8Iu8xxiC6YqMlnddElBdKm4eb95VrcwrYTmHSEJxY4S_wI8BxxWcvFG33r-PMmpq-F6sLxhIDJsOP7T-aX43RFAfGKtczVxYl/s0/IMG_0145.jpg" title="IMG_0145.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
happy wednesday! life is beautiful.charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-41524652053829630662019-01-11T13:55:00.004+00:002019-01-11T14:14:37.737+00:00new years in roma<img alt="IMG 3418" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHoY_ylpAA4tyQ-qDRsR21dZCGsj6ROpP3QaxGoHAqNDRNSEiQxqrktSYh8C30fyCKHYGR9dkS9frcr6uAGPg0q-ps9xiFYP5rnCIBViea-cl9tz0jx0aoWwsfpzf2bC2Fw809HrfJ0Nb/s0/IMG_3418.JPG" title="IMG_3418.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<br />
we spent the last day of one year and the first day of the next year in a city that has been glorious for <i>many</i> years.<br />
<br />
lingering jet lag meant that gabriel and i had been up together many times throughout the nights we spent in rome. to help me get more sleep, ian cuddled up with the baby in the wee hours and then took the boys out on some adventures in the morning hours. i was a little jealous that he got to see roma in the pretty dusk before allllll the other tourists came out. but i was much more glad to get in a bit more zzzzzs!<br />
<img alt="IMG 6474" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA4KcOP80vBIqTb8dQLhKaSwdrNmWv29Mpi1mCSHp2vsLgpOinoF0zTAzzca-V8kEBalZq3_9u6RScrU8QrjZ6p1WdYHZeqyTSYDWtrV_zBlImaIv12gEHIozTy9Erd3U0YHFM6UdfQ4y/s0/IMG_6474.jpg" title="IMG_6474.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6485" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hO8rRXKCecTeCWh0rZiZLFy0lf_zwv73IilNHoAbElpvEsTh7oBrh3fFSDAonMscGiwdBftqjzjsEcIKttfdqCuGDNcqQKKUXyyBWbwwNhwl1rneJDZf3jeH9PiFUVvImwCYMIDmas_3/s0/IMG_6485.jpg" title="IMG_6485.jpg" width="323" /><br />we spent the later morning of new years eve in the colosseum! ian was pretty pumped about this (he <i>loves</i> experiencing famous significant landmarks).<br /><img alt="IMG 3362" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzlTPFpmCHKXuDKJKlSCssCppQigeX9U5_J4Hyf84kt27OBXn1Vz3PmmO1kWID_t83nRVkXRsAJekaQi4K3Pe6Nvp2SjRV3Q2eA_G_pWoYgIUH9dGEH4HykGcqDebFVICt07bM88QtUXc/s0/IMG_3362.JPG" title="IMG_3362.JPG" width="650" /><br />mo thought it was all pretty cool, too.<br /><img alt="IMG 9838" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDy4mwQhUtqPlH6Td68nWd7ok5MIA47GLrDwfAumT88QQMeXFLpShUw-zm41KGltBze4JHO_CoisPKtxZF56-MW5xt7RWFQMuLckaOTVFsGZTsVFf9TBPjqjyKWnRb5NjZffW7YfVZFxW/s0/IMG_9838.jpg" title="IMG_9838.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9841" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz7YtRm8Ai4S3-YGd3LC5jmDV8_8y-pBpWRkjzK0fAXYHUhunL8W8vwCfGxcUQz_5OvXfSFi5mwea1_9o5406Rwunh6kI2-XQnV5zqItoEww_949KKpxyHlOkx6mqsKSZgtYwM0VORqav/s0/IMG_9841.jpg" title="IMG_9841.jpg" width="323" /><br />here's a view from inside the colosseum to the arch of constantine.<br /><img alt="IMG 3366" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczPkqn1PnFtVjpczVlm94ZIoFFUhbHElMfdANsDoQk2Ja2NTsvTB4QLFWw9FR4ie18SwxovynBvSv-7km_7H747oYV5rKFafplWp_Ylno0exMs1AtchU5GzFe4IhI4gsz0m6lVKtGciaZ/s0/IMG_3366.JPG" title="IMG_3366.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3369" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2f3Zm4lZna0zNG1Crtmr1bIh7rBLp5657eHxa_9jn2SpMSKc0PpYxiqDmragIq3DioUUEWsLJTA4xvpAAIdgo8uw8SQb_MfcaSlz4dYeGsnZqi6PIJF3V6QORoK0F4Pc3ZRLvFnenOXK/s0/IMG_3369.JPG" title="IMG_3369.JPG" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3373" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YtfGmkDW2ujH4ss6UpF-NmgoYOCsWOiTffZyCFvG6m9Tzf9-lMO3gnSECemuhpGMxQvu9n12oOdQQBNd3RAttpv1WUD2HyQ3uP-ZmykYzMmD4LfPU5gUfEo8lKHPimo4eCluoYoko0dz/s0/IMG_3373.JPG" title="IMG_3373.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3374" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPJBcVusG1YsNCqRvQ-Pdq-AZ99nuOArzSqjM8WBl8kLOVB3z9gWTIZ5USAXipJi7uedf_l7shqWdu9a0IS0_K_jeTYEUE2OfVowT_Gw7xP_5upmqGHeg4iVVCHylGA9G1zq-nDxUk0oc/s0/IMG_3374.JPG" title="IMG_3374.JPG" width="323" /><br />i loved how we could see some of rome's colourful building facades peeking through the colosseum's arches.<br /><img alt="IMG 3379" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubY8UwUmjePiWroJIrUYOhaZ1_N-iwqd-QIqHPzzCPNs_oln_FuEVtp_JiXQqPRjzHqfUbt5s8cXyUyFInXnmQWfzEaedKPa6OD5J1edR0qrbUWfEq9lVnlUz1o_MZ-lxkCzlCBcKdIFH/s0/IMG_3379.JPG" title="IMG_3379.JPG" width="650" /><br />we spent some time trading off with the boys at the roman forum (which isn't super stroller-friendly...). this was one of my favourite things we saw in rome. the views from the top of palantine hill were amazing!<br /><img alt="IMG 3381" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS0aovJlikpz4bnnVTubpG32ZillDZ9JkJujhzVfX8OlWcCtbU5gjWNJNRfFkKq227SkwEuBQ8rYgU_OO9Dwddoww5edM4ESGrTkh8-bhfC5kjXMUytRibJ3ZoGOm01kZAPNDAg3zUp4b/s0/IMG_3381.JPG" title="IMG_3381.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3383" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECMO9zTpEP5nVvTxEdVbSMAD38SbStIGVVxv38ZMpj1bhbdPmusMu2k239N4iqbfeTLwDgrMNxrvzrQYYKtthhTimUoxsxA1qP3Z_YwaejJjXm96sMsyxlfd5rTuRZkItTsv0NTwDutZG/s0/IMG_3383.JPG" title="IMG_3383.JPG" width="650" /><br />and the views of the colosseum from the edge of the forum was perfect to snap some family pictures.<br /><img alt="IMG 3388" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JALAPVOJb-sudfAeAovl9I9XqlxKwp_oyKxoGSQsp7zytHD-lz4V_HX0koFasytVxS7D_O2Jj3LBTYs8QRSc01Zx_mEmImaQ2PCPH8f4yXHpWv3PPLVtBFUfEbgLKpW61Tx-Rtit3oKG/s0/IMG_3388.JPG" title="IMG_3388.JPG" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 6492" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-A-km_7hMJ72w0nIiBGoy5E2OCmh4OJnRYlCzLrie7QpwLj2n40CDPoGVyFS1ClKApdZAJRMNrpfXU1r7_itszvQtUSbnYzFZPE9kAkRtmmo6l8FFE2Z1-HIovpZACy9ROzTLuV85Vt/s0/IMG_6492.jpg" title="IMG_6492.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9850" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZadkDl0KVdbguziUdTaGXZXOwRkPNp3WsigJtMwBYP3gzphWgrftmT3F4CHNB1pHxRbLJxyH-QYWqixeFmztHm5kLyDZHo7vVhC1z80Ev-pqO70Coz2Zk9phk_r5bPXepazk8Mq0VxKC/s0/IMG_9850.jpg" title="IMG_9850.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3395" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilJoLspkPxuuLwQAhWK24-USj-oOyhYzDXceSjJFzfU-1p8I9Xiaofx4K5eONYeD1DjLCRPbzEuofVlI24bBcnjjp-13bcLA5uITuEf9IboQxjvmclEqCqmexbZl71gVJ47oxLivMttTU/s0/IMG_3395.JPG" title="IMG_3395.JPG" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3391" border="0" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd3Pz04hK5VpPUfAoxNG0D9avWMZrH_Ri-7gFI_mwulheHCe_NvbnizZusnt7KUSGcZD0w7epTb5UlZBrVCFJzsWucFC6Nz7V3bOaovAGYIZ0t43P1iT4CffPodf8LrN9HoNmuAN8YKKY/s0/IMG_3391.JPG" title="IMG_3391.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3393" border="0" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cRKbI9L-nLz6fnJLay3l3SEFwi7jm-tO9bFYyzqPtxqoV2HIgDRrnI8LHOAv3byUvz68XaNKPIuazYAR59DLMxLjkCBlz36LQQbvQgC6J_0p-0DfQk8ObODCXmEq-CgiqFfRqyRAcFNW/s0/IMG_3393.JPG" title="IMG_3393.JPG" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3412" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzroIi2pen3bB-B7V_zVUK9vxYUJ09CEJv76aZVdu57NocfHlrbNZX7Trz80yB9RhWPkNmF4Q9HGg_ypktXGzcJny3zCvTWwP6BEuFzjgQ68qnK8uYIwVwVYtwoXFH7us2z1oHGxeufxA2/s0/IMG_3412.JPG" title="IMG_3412.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3423" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNe_kdimd_erFHi1fX8pwmcNFACdwiIQZlVkxDUIvW3r4ZJ3cEuW7MzF-lr9Ta2727ZPumKBfNIqppDNMDQciSGikKbtT9jZsyBYn1nN9XzNzO1kMF3Pt5uloXcpMoV3LOQQ7tph54U787/s0/IMG_3423.JPG" title="IMG_3423.JPG" width="650" /><br />i spy st. peter's!<br /><img alt="IMG 3428" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeFail4CmbzWPaZ6Q5Urci41Vc56N01k6wBQoS1hG29tT8R_pJAfAv4sceb0sekIO13sMD-7c6szLTpe6Ub0s6KaOjcYmIEW9Epr1qwWs9i7aMh33shGNxNvuTybuU2sqk2AU4sGd6heU/s0/IMG_3428.JPG" title="IMG_3428.JPG" width="650" /><br />we went to a fun restaurant where we could watch fresh pasta being made through the window while we waited for a table. and once we were in, gabriel loved sitting on the table while we waited for our order to come out!<br /><img alt="IMG 9868" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQBsCX4TMw4EXcqAAoVO6qI3ujku0LKUs1ER7s_ll3PYfchsproxWNLM7lOpRjxUxbIbzsbY_pKKuR8SNS2QQf_JiKRFONebO0hlzxcb5cLZvC_iWBtxb6b2egsVCKgyzDUMgZj_sxAE4/s0/IMG_9868.jpg" title="IMG_9868.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9871" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcjX-C52GA6JZFhF414vydcOWx97Vv58i0bbgCm0YKD2IM7cbXeMrkkj1ltv2tScsS9yfg9S0_3LvIXDR93x1fi5qjh3VDV4x79Cwy1j9lw0Y6Ah0w8t4yxMUGTP86P-Lo7_ZDFCF23is/s0/IMG_9871.jpg" title="IMG_9871.jpg" width="323" /><br />at the end of the day we strolled through rome's christmassy streets and then along the river. a perfect little goodbye kiss to 2018!<br /><img alt="IMG 9879" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrTSAmJPPY169exJJrxHdFUgXBQjzOPV5C5RknLC0OTYBc2dVRu07jPjy_Ije0G6w70AlIIY6E3IXmiparTdvMHGISvJ56xy-Irk3WKfWqo3R8RH6BWKfAkJnb2-zS5z2lnVQFydRF7bH/s0/IMG_9879.jpg" title="IMG_9879.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3436" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zQeDeXWXe0BNxRTO9yasv5eQgeMiKnwbqA2nQ_WUXFL6JoGXtXCBacelafgeSsiKIqZ9bqgJVw_txVsX90pWmyqJFUsjQxKoha-s3lXA09XDqPiJ-xHG3bU7_EtzcWpwYCqR3Vy1lwEC/s0/IMG_3436.JPG" title="IMG_3436.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 9891" border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5MD57MCptGbie5KxTyLGm9B57iNjxg-6FUuHH_3Yw3uSE0yR8gevSb7LS3mA6m4-hGQ0ieaxUiXpcnpc3NU4I8318qKre7dx7Ya4GWyYzn9EUP33m8mBJMWZDEXqQkxErsuDVAMvJy5f/s0/IMG_9891.jpg" title="IMG_9891.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 9882" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R6ZLLd0EN3Wtw1XD3YhYXdatmgJgBLCs0IqBw4zUOyaZ42yS9-Nl4-7OXP8mrEq8gYhJ-P7sk0sqb6tnnPUzWOHu8SAbFc4QK-1x1oR-ahVYzFGcTiBVgQ4uZDOIHQ9oQesLW8TdVEt0/s0/IMG_9882.jpg" title="IMG_9882.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9886" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRfkTYMNDbO7IOS7XLSNYc9lFMf7AS_USajuniRxieJF5hr65tfMDKgHhTBOVdaZoTS5-sbg38CLxoseHBZNyOt-LxyfKM7AK1Xbr8n6Sm1VWYJ_OiFVk2Aj98oppTg1x4vY9zaCUUCxC/s0/IMG_9886.jpg" title="IMG_9886.jpg" width="323" /><br /><br />
we had booked an airbnb that was on the top floor of a building in hopes to see some of the many fireworks shows that go off around rome when the clock strikes midnight on 31 december. after the boys were asleep, i furiously read the book of mormon to try to complete my goal of finishing it by the end of the year. i finished at 11:50pm! and then ian and i got out some bubbly drinks, turned off all the lights, and looked out the windows in the kitchen and living room, waiting for fireworks. it was so fun to excitedly rush between the rooms taking in different colourful shows in the sky. some of the firework displays were pretty close to us! and others were evidenced only by the flashing reflections in the windows of buildings around ours. we briefly opened a window and took in the booming sounds filling the thrilled air. it was a memorable new years eve for sure!<br />
<br />
the next morning ian took the boys out again (first thing in the morning, in their pajamas!) so i could sleep. he took them first back to trevi fountain and then back to the spanish steps. hardly anyone was out!<br />
<img alt="IMG 6503" border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnW5OtHWdv8F4wy9Wp9lAZ759117g1dwzNKbOXEGQzKXCL26Mv6dRn9qX-szhh9bVgM5uzTSZjczL3vb7r_Ktmm7H0Ws_WLV-zPKYgqbPyZu-qxFnlfL_WGp4qnHpOGrvF24N7RTkd5QB/s0/IMG_6503.jpg" title="IMG_6503.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 6531" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM_XNoJjzP1oK5SO3PaPAFsHubW3FWjjf9pQQfnnpHmmwCdsbJ2H1VKZ3UErQqtgVMDXj2ndtYVLqxsdGi58HdGNgD9bDeFVXK0Wn49JF48IG89Rg-UdGJUBeZmNi3kSAVaAvmg_gaD0A/s0/IMG_6531.jpg" title="IMG_6531.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 6537" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvrn7WePovrRVHPQAXZO-BozQ5v6sRwE_oqhz-THsp-qDCyQbgVvSeMHQvjza6MXDGQiBTqbPPM-ArSVolvFrsMMRD6a8katSLkz5aE63MwPAP096l8wL_RE0L0beT1_qdv5nsrZDbrfP/s0/IMG_6537.jpg" title="IMG_6537.jpg" width="650" /><br />when i woke up, i met them back at trevi fountain (my favourite spot in rome for sure). it was so fun to find this little elf there and then together toss in some coins. the long-held tradition is that if you throw a coin in trevi fountain, you are destined to go back to rome one day! moses was so excited by this and was jumping up and down in those candy cane striped pajamas saying, "i made a wish! i come back to rome!"<br /><img alt="IMG 6513" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIHcsvqk88FeKw7UUNbMw-cS2NlQAK9gR34bRDqX6FtfwpuxYgjVQlj504nY2-H__MSotX-a9e2BIgMncrTp-2SWN8en9GyoupBFA-OJBRI4Dul37tFtsBcAlMdVMejVDCZAjByZTAVZ5/s0/IMG_6513.jpg" title="IMG_6513.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6515" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuN4Aqba-lzTfMF98pfV6jPzZc0N6jAoTS110wWliTmszx-dJPFU2f_Z5ManSlMl6YHRRywDx_mk93DYFZV9CfeBPm6cf77S0t2-n3c3KRxPD1L2pfkcDTTijaPv2NTobat9gLbbwroae/s0/IMG_6515.jpg" title="IMG_6515.jpg" width="323" /><br />he was also pretty thrilled to just examine walls of magnets (one of his favourite things in the world) at souvenir stalls.<br /><img alt="IMG 9918" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrfSXL1WS-WotjtyjCLYgVHtrOqQxrNBXeSdeEh1FxeWPLT2Q-J4YxGfK_DBl7VBD8Anqsh1HCV35WvAzDZvuqZgWu13MyGARrvOPQIE76zrJGPBiYEfMg2vGLYiMx8SYRt2pP6m9cCwv/s0/IMG_9918.jpg" title="IMG_9918.jpg" width="214" /> <img alt="IMG 9916" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lwipOmXq64k3aHvkv4hwUddOse6_Yv6cUb9m_J7wuyzsCTOY324OV-mYB4yWMuukmzaiL2jfc8NUh-FNrwEVWXaJTC7tNLhEXg_IlZ4dkELXxNCv_m4GneCdDSJoVL0wOM_Zd10a-4bi/s0/IMG_9916.jpg" title="IMG_9916.jpg" width="214" /> <img alt="IMG 9917" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS-ud3DnyylRHcuITiV8v4n7HrcfhEXz1MudVxTnHHlLrHMThi52uM1ZImD96E1eE_AV7BTyvRNAKLQ3HpmAXetuzDFu3FRf5frto1F2_1aL7StKRiG2z2Z5YLf2kdP7KgK7utV_uRVmG/s0/IMG_9917.jpg" title="IMG_9917.jpg" width="214" /><br />after packing up our bags at the airbnb, we went out for one last meal. the fresh pasta and pizza at da francesco was sooooo yummy. and it was great fun to sit outside on the cobbled street chowing down and taking in our last bits of roman magic. i had decided by this point that i did really like rome after all ;)<br /><img alt="IMG 6542" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOkze6R58KsR3k-JQgMaZVMyvT32iOFgeYNAEhmSAphnJ8MowNWvnYOxS0SF1jy3eJgSoFkQ5wOKm6mkQdtupuNauWRmH-q2cndp0qZbQsPjQ8iHKjPToguQ5S2welDl7TCVEHKS-_Rj0/s0/IMG_6542.jpg" title="IMG_6542.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6543" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWk2Oy1AN0ExMtOib6Ko1wp7QwqUj2Qc5UYHLt5pySMnxrZsDvFuKYrHPkERm9X5_etKo14DePeWuMhyphenhyphenGfiHn9k4PZKgRwhyYr8IbcBSKX24AJMY2tZdX-wsyXQbd_F-JPltcupsyGs4T/s0/IMG_6543.jpg" title="IMG_6543.jpg" width="323" /><br />gabriel looooved the ravioli!<br /><img alt="IMG 6546" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRgbe20XhfCx2W-Kub4_lbv3U0tqZNzvAzWplkrPjya4b7M7_OQ15E-4sy3VVX9vhMANBfVEtWcKvOcXts6klhW65f42sO9j2cRsecTXGAX5mE4za-H5VWElKZAq18eM3dUpm_qA4-6d7/s0/IMG_6546.jpg" title="IMG_6546.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6547" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRYMj3sc42mfvVqxxgemXN34-nL5VXBEL4nKO-VwFQ0bHmfF09Jf3wkJyd29oUAmnjWu9tnQ4IS9k9Q2-RNxuLj90-cB0kGj1SSKr9tUDHazbbwhe7WF33E4y1MQujzsrOtFHoXvhn6sk/s0/IMG_6547.jpg" title="IMG_6547.jpg" width="323" /><br />we got one last gelato. here's the face of an incredibly excited two year old whose mom has asked him to smile for a picture but he just wants to eat his ice cream right now <i>so so much</i>!<br /><img alt="IMG 6549" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLE8N2tx0I1pDr_GN_fo-4fMlaZ7hrAvIGeYLHD-TtQYrVNs5o8ClZmr9gsKwkAUNn2j9fuy4XqEiREVNiXykjlFVKMzPXHwvFqHxAr6AVC9QSZhqkX9wJi4nJ7x9RyoeutWJv7d-apwq3/s0/IMG_6549.jpg" title="IMG_6549.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6554" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8XsJiR6g-z4fJYH9ycgJ0tO3yaeqkTiuMQHbPHvsOKTuTy0z_iLknD03OaU2RwW1QVV49zAFG8Ldd8Xd2DcgLJL0GSp7qJa96k4XXwdkn5VEUXcgX1Y0OYo7YObwXf2Vo3YHKvWnquyb/s0/IMG_6554.jpg" title="IMG_6554.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3443" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6jA67nrFzZ46PzYDu0wUoG-XiC36aI4JVqE0UbD2GDpPT6ZM0DhRNopYLdJ1f6bf9_zekSwRLxTh1UnhKpH2QS86lxt96vU4mTdMWgNHkhQFPrVm1RX4auetNCGDqI43vsJ63jadNNU2/s0/IMG_3443.JPG" title="IMG_3443.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3452" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8J91L_D__f7G4ZbvJdJ52Dtkj6jv8edkzmUBeFpR3Vku-ATWZC8ijbLNLxIrHgix3CQ_3aMuWMGfFr5HelDK2En68HTtLC3vNkgqSA6ArhjEaYrcDGHVqSXNnSYQ-QAje7dJOrqlpT2K/s0/IMG_3452.JPG" title="IMG_3452.JPG" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3457" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HRT66Z7aO0PNfC7uPXnHQRZCmXOdWh0sHRQ35fY5g0U8xVvn43xqAigqseYpepgYtvdfZScafeCSpd0d8sXdT7ZuDYbWa_OgdZcq0i2ZI3CY9FGMahbnFXl5vXjnlMtQuFp6-gM5yzVE/s0/IMG_3457.JPG" title="IMG_3457.JPG" width="650" /><br />moses napped in the buggy once we got to the airport (sweet kid was exhausted after that morning of so much fun and sun!) and then we enjoyed some amazing views of the french alps on our flight home to london.<br /><img alt="IMG 9919" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxAkfPjOFc6qzR0VGUscGK-k-RzEJC4ADtZ-Gd1cFpkmEesk0_5kDKH7H_WEp2BIQBC5etm8hBB1IZBhm3qaeQH9uQh-q9r88Vtz4giXyCPYa5cYlQmjDUIAbGiIgbRb7ICY4YrI7A612/s0/IMG_9919.jpg" title="IMG_9919.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9978" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKseOnIMc-leoF_g3DKD9uH_lZj0tJXab7zU4MumXrNtiiJQ8broabjccrrMRKsKLVJPYe3XjldD1iL9zHrgQ7MMeWRZ5E7emeCRQsukocBsOCUdNQkaC_eKd6r_NTIeLf2a9TvQB3b6h/s0/IMG_9978.jpg" title="IMG_9978.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 9982" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQW1THACdraQpzWKRWOHG5_dwpL4m9KeqY52EL0p6cB73OLeHISQFi-NBhbQACZpOldE0gd0hDc3fapPbJeFuQ350zBMXn0FGlM9DraZHmdhvRlQO2AYH7_LI9XywOTgFEnJ1SJeznBrV/s0/IMG_9982.jpg" title="IMG_9982.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9983" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD3NWURjVna1hBGaW-nximVJQWCesfC5sXL9GhsQJagI7KigZQaDzK5ZfxztjViKW57FUuQRddw9PS9wNRkevuSBOjrwfjQogpWyT4-wf_XltLaQAJAEqOtRVma3I7dVnKXtmTMj3bPUk/s0/IMG_9983.jpg" title="IMG_9983.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
grazie roma, for a fantastic end to a blessed year <i>and</i> an exciting start to another year ahead!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-8804861189874367962019-01-09T22:31:00.001+00:002019-01-09T22:32:02.116+00:00finishing up 2018 in rome!<img alt="IMG 3298" border="0" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSsfY6OFN57fkl6BtaoldzkN7hj7RJMGaLHUwwm-w3Br1J4XWYsn_Hu68HxWL-ppYG4-41T06SWgLfVRlwNKhiko4gwKKUx__b5OQDruoMMwjHfK6zBoKlWFcsEop0oqw4_GlR5QBDnZy/s0/IMG_3298.JPG" title="IMG_3298.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<br />
a couple of days after christmas, we packed our bags and headed to rome. i gotta say, i wasn't super excited for this trip.<br />
<br />
back in the summer, we booked flights to cologne and rome in december. this was already a lot, and then we got the news that my nephew was getting married, also in december! so gabriel and i sandwiched a trip to the states in between our family trips to germany and italy. and thus the end of 2018 became crazy. as our days in rome approached, i was just tired and wanting to be home for a while.<br />
<br />
but our jaunt to that amazing city was really, really great, and turned out to totally energize me rather than further exhaust me. we had great weather and great food, and enough time to take things slow. it was actually really wonderful to end the year with a bang in a fascinating place together as a family.<br />
<br />
here's some photos from our first couple of days in roma....<br />
<br />
we decided to split up for seeing the vatican - a place i just don't think two-year-olds mesh with very well ;) on our first morning in rome, ian took gabriel through the vatican museum and st. paul's basilica while i let moses run around rome, and then we swapped in the afternoon. (so gabriel got to visit the sistine chapel and go to the top of st. peter's dome twice in one day!)<br />
mo and i passed by trevi fountain on our journey to find a playground. i was most excited to see this spot of anywhere in rome, and it lived up to my high expectations! (i have been to rome once before, but it was twenty years ago! so everything felt pretty new and fun to see.)<br />
<img alt="IMG 9542" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqv1G04htkgjGiM5U1FcqhYvEujYw5375g_FoxX3sVHXdRvqOka1Cx-uA-9ko9AlELIqaqXaDaAW1a_IvLinB5oYa5u4QN6wQ0HQcw7s4MUCkF1I9PYBYBEh1dLphyoP6K525LkA1hlw7/s0/IMG_9542.jpg" title="IMG_9542.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9549" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopOxXsL5arRLOGdWuzPC4J_FeYWkY_bKNfckjmFISOCSBGB5j2d2HaSVdCvwoaDbcN0YCzK-_tP-n7hkQXTXkoSMh0D_eK0-CYO_Sv3ae_ScceFC04AcFCJYYEvyxsk4GjKBqYOFbxNtD/s0/IMG_9549.jpg" title="IMG_9549.jpg" width="323" /><br />
we found two different playgrounds in the villa borghese. and a pond full of ducks!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9554" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomMjih9RTMyC-dk8hk4QfYD2BTsCY2stOz1u5_2Nh5cCGNzOWtK-Wmx6YlaXwGCeUUf8Hlf6xJdUPCjkLEIR13rdYlFBuhY6x9hnbGNWpgEs9yRVcfpkH-JxlQR96yqZ_Ne86A3aL6J9v/s0/IMG_9554.jpg" title="IMG_9554.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9565" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVFua3-IkKzxkDRb93r7YFX0uM68qGhXFOqQS4Ah__u044HRZZ-HK_2Zl-Gd1YrLF8Ez_VIMSgtpVBaWGWlUdrYDfn1bAMhFRBIibo1COt_ra5yvNDiMAHzF0Jv-B9gj_2JshC0q_z4UN/s0/IMG_9565.jpg" title="IMG_9565.jpg" width="323" /><br />
moses is totally an explorer. he was leaning forward in the buggy really taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of the city as we navigated around on our little mommy date. and he's also definitely a gelato lover!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9551" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHogCevv5zmQiX1b-m1USNStQykt2WLpqwtU7Z5PqyhmzAov-XorPcVw_4ztPZvpE02hJesKilxhEG1ja9elaxHqSj5bZKFfiD9eWJrq-ujG4SiwPzawqZZlhu5vng7T8VRhWinm60dTzq/s0/IMG_9551.jpg" title="IMG_9551.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9572" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJQq2P2c1121Hb2CWTa6iuXflsjmNXrdmkP8TWrqRd48-2sNHcYjRexgqdGbWpD6xbpeUEgX_z1Rrq9Bj_x1MmSCAtJQBecQKDUVDmMurGdbxYCjE1hfBFs_JU4erWpfvQNsaTLoLhTIC/s0/IMG_9572.jpg" title="IMG_9572.jpg" width="323" /><br />
we passed through piazza di spagna to catch a peek of the spanish steps. there's a story in a book that moses <i>loves</i> to read at home about rome and a car rumbling down the spanish steps ... so mo was really excited to see them in real life.<br />
<img alt="IMG 3232" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QraTfvkzP7bhQMr88EW_Rwwg5zoR8stMppXj0COqbq92alz05YIl7V52DntmBU5eu7pmWthUkADiL9GQ6QSYbGxcyDXGGTDeOERhtn7cwXWxgco-3pDYVyiy3O3EC6nCwC0siWeAF4r9/s0/IMG_3232.JPG" title="IMG_3232.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3235" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN92RvUeUPn3uRXAFjH8ixXaGAk4J_ep9TyFE1VTcapVQ4MNws9hHqoSiItsV4_jqiCfyu4xkMdcY5dm30Hsqo6yRRXSrYi88HaEh1UP87yc11NezQW3MWv9bdsAH99VadDRbhcbqGeUqf/s0/IMG_3235.JPG" title="IMG_3235.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 9586" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPWKzX3NyMjI8QSip0XDW4XFq5_GU7lb7czODY8UqsuUdVjQOH2dtNxwHYXeEGVN8AT0BZhWnC10tCLnOX25dUyX8AM7MCJZavATdTEaA_FKbpIO6Az2zamyaPEUKVZWBACz6sR_QlRUE/s0/IMG_9586.jpg" title="IMG_9586.jpg" width="650" /><br />
we walked along and across the river to meet up with ian and gabriel in st. peter's square.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9590" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2_o2IXDNboeLz1ENr46UbA9sb1ZK475b1VnVyuWRCK_TTn8_De0pQwjKh5pGJmOah8SnIcCAeQ1sT52-4jE_H2HwRhXaka14E9-cq62sJVnOttQbzc8gVTR7oAWEfucP_xU_gZ0L6kyn/s0/IMG_9590.jpg" title="IMG_9590.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 9592" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xBXPgV2oUn8z-kfc0PbKI2lzg59CnYWmAFQb4cpo1Vrz_uTXrw2k8LMh2HoYtx0GArd9iZb3M2nagFYqDZS5i3ioMeZEIYIfvO_OQkIOnv-ZNa3eXZ-O6M9q_dXpnpWJHEcNKok_2c8x/s0/IMG_9592.jpg" title="IMG_9592.jpg" width="650" /><br />
i have to say that in our first hours in rome i just wasn't very into the city. it felt really dirty, crowded, and devoid of the super charm of smaller towns in italy. but i definitely felt some thrill in my veins as we approached st. peter's.<br />
<img alt="IMG 3236" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHXJIBjTx0_9OuLw9hq-WnUwu2W3GbQtf43_UuRIsjaZB1-QiwsznpjKneWMHvT46sg1KDLtw4eusOjy__VdhbjQLT1dFfN5Tj0wxY3G_PWK18tfYDbZVvPXQwaXqzwYsvH4u6E5yakVe/s0/IMG_3236.JPG" title="IMG_3236.JPG" width="650" /><br />
and it was pretty fun to find ian and gabey there. here's moses singing a little made-up song (very typical behaviour these days), happy to be reunited with his brother and daddy :)<br />
<img alt="IMG 3249" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBma-8Xp5fEB36SJYi7RUNjd_A_pcgP4oVyTP4qpwO3W16iF5z1T2yg4OFyDkqGpGwI43ECXagQEAnGqqWd8FA9PZ164bzYHIZHnEVJZwkPxgg0p8HVGWRcnU20JNHoNPksnMbKN7GmHT/s0/IMG_3249.JPG" title="IMG_3249.JPG" width="650" /><br />
i sat on some steps and breastfed the baby while moses chased some birds:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9606" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oWze1No4GiGR2r-fXf3et_KBccy32edhywSZq40-YaWJY4LNipmJgbBuPQ1aPe4UbbAyXAyFqJTnNO1r4bxuRDOD6aivWQa9Ol-mVz_o58hBq8te0sf2_3vVQPimfS0CTvObjSAxlUqm/s0/IMG_9606.jpg" title="IMG_9606.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9610" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGNC500JDqBLQyX9wPqroHC4ut4F6rbCys0NhkoLDoUC9Rr2kj6MxInRWLBeT_QwFNROcvwrxuD_zQ6v0UQBjt9UOW5Yb3u2ZkI16XSYRKPP2_MDxTUpmndXDaALpw7Sp60V-xdBRnMir/s0/IMG_9610.jpg" title="IMG_9610.jpg" width="323" /><br />
we wrangled mo into a family picture, haha:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9615" border="0" height="867" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzVA9hIUCkvJfkD3iKZo4wbjzl88wCxAkJRswDMbcfBuu9R4tzR5JvK-3gPQt0ufwHHx4jsu736nScVP0jNS29IcVTz7SFhRijXh6r9047jzRhhUSyZpjK6uVZxOw-eqkuDK1I-oyfpv6/s0/IMG_9615.jpg" title="IMG_9615.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9618 1" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk69tmT-lFK9A8rJFslJoqV-N6OluN6p4UVf3oRuYIAPvIr40N0io15gq_pJyTLNCncfrcSNB3soP6QkMSH69lN9whLRP4bORIGwb9zYxYLp3Tw8B64RyuWKJlnyhXgOLBXmssS2amXvxI/s0/IMG_9618+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9618 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9623" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLDEtHw8vpygywqrmkgBgEOjDPqfY9Wzm284fUjMqcKAwjCEPoDAztNHNzgYCMD7W_9NyzCc7nkg_vJqogQUNtf00ShlLpFE3cPMqN7lnYk4AfU75WcQUNfYZ96Rd_xaGdHicFOjonsin/s0/IMG_9623.jpg" title="IMG_9623.jpg" width="323" /><br />
and then i took gabriel back into the vatican museum! the array of art there is pretty dizzying.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9627" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdtGc5V1n7c4BjvCuT9XGUdeCVoAckJgXihRGFXqACTjjtwo4gpLXUAiVhNw989GPJ1D3kj5KCGDnlLBBy8nC8hEaW5lsiExxFUxWLwnPCRuCF792p0d2H9-Vns_xyNXbwJeIipti1MJG/s0/IMG_9627.jpg" title="IMG_9627.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9628" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zDW7-EmIVfI64uEwwhVxppMAuS-3r8vEGVmYKq8KWVUlG9UdDMlRKd3f_6tlBnmiuCrNTqlQGd9PLTEkIuzUcNvxvqWJ_otGCT52QcfusW1YPn7ZOu35JmSxS0Z0HPK4ZtDjEiq-ZwNF/s0/IMG_9628.jpg" title="IMG_9628.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9638 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKKIaKIf9L-ucHFGBckA0FCNkHHwAW9dYjgYQOiozSlhJ7QF7dn8PhR0pXKPfPLAcN8HTeHZ3K8F_5YstRP7ZHM5Ir8kMwg7YOUSZnTHZqCpMcoKK_9j8RuNgagKJyVIe0sA5fd41tXUB/s0/IMG_9638+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9638 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9643 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN58R-MbOOLGQc6qyFR7NF9OxN_WfcYIdnNX8Ld_P4XN_eFf_5VsTUaOgx541W5y3e68FqkHREoUxcyI1Dyrj28w7UH3C_J9zyBb2tMB87bxDldql9EQofgKyeeGl7yI5DMSMKab8m9Wr/s0/IMG_9643+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9643 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />
my favourite part was this corridor with a jaw-dropping ceiling and painted maps lining the walls.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9647 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7y3Kj5QEbZ13HMiPX28S_vLyoH2rSdD_tQNTzks_hbLV9ZGu9JXRRal_aUCGUIViNYMqreFm_w8JKP-VzXscGbZiIjRmNf_NRYLiIB3TE-3gickkCGVhYjVr8ap3wkzxAMaPPyU4HTL7/s0/IMG_9647+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9647 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9648 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-Phii9l3X8kNScmw9i2M3rvA2YvDWy4dpc2SoNXmMjjcGtwnbD7u3o_vusfcgog04A_rKBxdzSmYp3aaUixcHGyN9Q6NLCpNJhpm-BMrXWclyUrlmC36uEi2BGFPefk4ISHNdMN8it1n/s0/IMG_9648+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9648 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />
the crowds were almost as spectacular as the art. the crown jewel being the sistine chapel, of course. (there are no photos allowed in the sistine chapel.)<br />
<img alt="IMG 9645 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1r8XjLcvVaSaJ8vnsFcI0M6v3IK-iEocDCD1MCLGA2rPRJV1lf8tJzZ9cyFx8gp7OuNgXATXO1RqkTnu9yNa2A9v51X7ghQq1yn9qn6lAfCRoqeVflH79W3N4mj_unt5mHgvwuaI-mwz/s0/IMG_9645+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9645 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9661 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_QxuXjEJ5R3aPLsz6xYD2TRRgjA9H4ZHo65ZvlHVGAhNcymzPEAkq-Txl7Q2YG0D8b3IbQ3t7vYCRBVcfl29LmeH-3POeZMOwkyyvqJ3DhFpGlW-kc3LDm5zvALS1ThLQARzPOexL6R8/s0/IMG_9661+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9661 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />
gabe and i went up the dome and enjoyed views down into the church and then (after <i>a lot</i> of stairs) down into the square.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9675 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCqKy1B-iC9eDQobet2cJaHF7DQ1wBV1Z6R3pJwVkDuoBQvySwS3_gfevd7TTtzTTNik1NkrXTgaPE6z1sw5o-5Ji86TE4d0flcaF6kHQUPaZbcWhFVrTVbQh1RcDRioKsPLHX7BV7Ivc/s0/IMG_9675+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9675 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9689 1" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRwzGD3ae4cE2KfPr7Nkzj_VE-9SXd3VXAkwFrDiIEOzfbK9iFINIj6p9oiQT__1bHawAE8yTjQKXxvatiFzLtJan97PL2xTmRQKaWmxX3J4jRv0dIi71_LBC37gBoQCA5UtB4zQiQ0ls/s0/IMG_9689+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9689 (1).jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3250" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZj_g09PuSVk1T-IGzIFIi8HE_rZ12nbFAynbkNM9Osqojxo-clFXeq8QymtxAmZpN-xI40SQ78uJ76b8nGQkjBQvkc3unDdmyqhP14uf82L6HtLNoRBCDnDOFgCbWWSMk9z0fTmKuDuw/s0/IMG_3250.JPG" title="IMG_3250.JPG" width="650" /><br />i thought seeing the shadow of the dome on the vatican museum buildings was pretty neat!<br />
<img alt="IMG 3262" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYJal5lvunut_RrsE2q-Rlf6dbvVAzPqqZ6M-RcrHTWg0AHE0pKP0NVkUTvrkvYpK8C0-wOZ5ZeOPdSPB5YQFCSbxPab_ij3x3ui2vqcFtwe_Z8HHQ7bXauooGTuA8ZWXm8ZkQTlhW8HE/s0/IMG_3262.JPG" title="IMG_3262.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3252" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAsV4HBJeyPeGpZD7B67B0RpJ5cYNDrTavJBzv9TK478C3KxcCEUofpuZkvMxwAwDFc2lv4qNZ216zTONf8f0qNrWGEEIia3H2A6Swx_8Vo2AS3kltPiVu2Nnlubv7XtIErdnO9dFH82X/s0/IMG_3252.JPG" title="IMG_3252.JPG" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3254" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gki1cCZKQRnGHpmjQxVUULtLhvO1NDygOPxBD5ho06YLbe_WIaAzXTfVa3VjRBPc6fQRUSZkWiwjg2_ARJctePKxt62VNXsuE2o80k1p6nQqpCbOQqJvme4vtzswtcg3Hs4vQBTrmcLR/s0/IMG_3254.JPG" title="IMG_3254.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3261" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfA-Hs1yolGJxNrFGbItEf_n6sUpvSb7Y1yPQJ6MeXS_82Qgu6ry5HTWGAQ-AhWRxnxKYa0A7MKBbgwvD18eaL8BVklcSiGM9nmGSMcD9GA2LzQOO8hDRR8WnXUod3xC8tCnsHCuUf-6Q/s0/IMG_3261.JPG" title="IMG_3261.JPG" width="650" /><br />we wandered around the church itself before leaving to reunite with dad and big brother.<br /><img alt="IMG 3266" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBbUjrfp2Fnk401KFtUuynESSn208SldgRBOHtSDW8xjs3K_ygFzY49vVSNEdmorBPmJw-M0JJq7qn5UrKUwAyhNPiXVRxPvu9VEBGMU-OIW022wmvDY0nW8sJobeMW7GLNSl8kE4-zhc/s0/IMG_3266.JPG" title="IMG_3266.JPG" width="650" /><br />the <i>pieta</i> is sooo moving. can you believe someone just sculpted this out of a block of stone? incredible.<br /><img alt="IMG 3271" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4kPixK4n8ZJArBRvvPRc5qOwRbBZmhYcmGPEpmh4HkfXlLR-XvYnoPeuFPdPCycW-fZ4ff2IZ99s4JZpZnzh-7QQ_ob4Ot3a6jp88IiLsQu0oQpeGT9PJaJBnxb_Xbr-1k1rG8J1_8a2/s0/IMG_3271.JPG" title="IMG_3271.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9697 1" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Drh0H5oSFVuoQKJauVnGiTbUyxPJmMqbbzIXYCqX9MQOvUGnxwX1J0tdgC6ZukPMH8hOysR5M-v2IkujjPuQkyLbfLgXAtfJQ2KUy7ugIxYClMokxqQqbnIULVTRfbkRJSgIK5dBvNF1/s0/IMG_9697+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9697 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9700 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pAsdEMvWQus1L1O-7Bgy4CJcXmPHlf_XrYPQ_4e5hQgepqMxPzYmM2yrK5IBC57MWZUCNiVx8ETlz-QIAYXcOz7UPGGXD813WTg_yD4zXFZVh5JbtVEgcV_vVsTtW0ZwPur2BaqCL_Mm/s0/IMG_9700+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9700 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />we left just as the sun was setting and found mo and ian near piazza navona. of course moses rode the carousel (that little boy + carousels = pure, perfect joy), and we shared some pasta at a sidewalk cafe.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9701 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEGzovac73tC_56yFgKe9NolThBRf_pHvCVoIut4Ng02849Yz-IIQX8j18IgNZUJ852bqpAfeGDS6QLG8ee8M8qQOp8DeXCN13G3-NSFYtDTvYnBSecbglhfgDmwoCgljXi-oHNjuoFQX/s0/IMG_9701+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9701 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9704 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P6FM9KTx_UFDDeWfuAzAren5BtQnNaH38kcap1b-AmmcZuUdqxwsB2YPh0aUfxpOnhtOnWCbnnDQ28lXERm3A12n2R-7CewV0GgXQ-sK5vJUN_OI0NGHFOftg6aPc-aWocKN16IHGGJU/s0/IMG_9704+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9704 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />these are screenshots of a video of moses eating fettuccini. it was funny and awesome.<br />
<img alt="Screen Shot 2019 01 07 at 8 09 53 PM png" border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Dthrg7wuU7Xqotqkp12CFwbeVDWXA45m0Fb2KWkRk_npDNoZOyL2Af0H6s-i8XrnOdgTHE9zvHpDJOnKm2rI4QEeXzOwC63TOJVx2qJPq3es-LrGaP4wMBmOSrVBri_66lKpRlVDNuI-/s0/Screen+Shot+2019-01-07+at+8.09.53+PM.png.jpg" title="Screen Shot 2019-01-07 at 8.09.53 PM.png.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="Screen Shot 2019 01 09 at 10 57 55 AM png" border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul56y6cf-CaYIjpNRzxZaG_dBQ9-nsdDuNvs4QDHFNL9ysisZlFijw-CXIfxn9a0scO7mXlm7WLXjedCo9BkvPVBIlOe5ctdXTY3Voe3a4EL8RcV8-oCGlpPDtJjDOtX-4bN7B8ERznRI/s0/Screen+Shot+2019-01-09+at+10.57.55+AM.png.jpg" title="Screen Shot 2019-01-09 at 10.57.55 AM.png.jpg" width="323" /><br />we stayed at an airbnb near the colosseum. we chose that particular apartment because it was on the top floor of a building, and we hoped to see fireworks after the kids went to bed on new year's eve. here's a shot taken from the stairwell. (five flights up a spiral staircase every time we came and went was no joke, but it turned out to be really worth it when we saw toooons of fireworks on nye.)<br /><img alt="IMG 9722 1" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VcxdlE7KV8ZQqFLklY_LIpMsozgfRmSSLk2FiVxtkfR_BEXXAo_yhM8pJtjVnlLU9_3aAENS79JLjvZ_bo3V3P6mLQjqjVOOBzLHtMUuzMc5cjvoUFU4uVPZBtnJFmi7nbh3w6AfowNe/s0/IMG_9722+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9722 (1).jpg" width="650" /><br />after church on sunday, we passed through the market in campo dei fiori and some other pretty corners of rome (which was really growing on me by this point...).<br />
<img alt="IMG 9712 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYitd_F3vk-YRQWg8dg0fCQdLwehkqLrTSLrAsGjKdcjC-oSK99dxMTKYNQCURzEZ-H8iRgDnuxWK-H3iN6WVkFN6007A8u6rrcMku6hdZOKPI3eazkmlCNHjZt6wS0ie8U1fZHXkFN8K/s0/IMG_9712+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9712 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9718 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mcO6JoD2P7X0_P_wz7xHJM-wwGYytHoO7ktUUQK1_7gyxxf5P31drGtQJpdskkcr1qtDF_sOuC240LV_E47LrVSjiZL2ZKAJuoohYtBZ4aCf8LTClpCKSqeUtk7aKICzovINdBlmVngC/s0/IMG_9718+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9718 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />these two photos are from the church across the street from our airbnb and the little piazza just a few steps away.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9724 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLChm3qiso16rRy-0zgORUHRvzXduoSbFn6onEShuzS1jShUdHnAN3V5sAWTJh_nfSqBxX6DKuEzR6-0FnUbMSpF4KfRc2N3Xw0h3IydNvbyGvNyl3ux6KCSm95ABsBITtW128IVloFeqy/s0/IMG_9724+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9724 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9731 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgWjZjBvYZhiq77uoMa57Qc_hbz7AoOXdtqn6p2aHKgM0_7YMD83yEPc-pmX101-14-LawYsUvI2FuamJX2ZpUB_WmOF1JzXIps-qxdZVcUrHJbPVFo2f8iudS2-NrkmWfqNPTxiTgPLT/s0/IMG_9731+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9731 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />we walked to the circus maximus and then around the colosseum (we had tickets to go inside the following day, so this was just a stroll-by).<br />
<img alt="IMG 3290" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEiLNGf3hRN-CBPgATRgSf28Adl8dd-ioiqd30OJB5K15fL6hyTFdTNd5FYZTdMzqujzlz4L0EH2125M4Ukm_UCmgepXktnSozQ9wXMzZPovsN95BAcHXa-TEHndRFGXllOmy6ySlb9Dp/s0/IMG_3290.JPG" title="IMG_3290.JPG" width="650" /><br />we randomly saw acrobat performers getting ready for their new year's eve show the next day!<br />
<img alt="IMG 3283" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbaS0EegwpxJ-N-_6iGatjzvhE8xJcQWdF0VXqgpu_T9mvCMNI7GppJi2zK6A-3YK-fsijjY2lWwXFSM3Rs0cRjFSPExsOYhD-QLFVd4VrCR3LdbwPZDpT10BcaSj-oMjreA9Fkzn2810/s0/IMG_3283.JPG" title="IMG_3283.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9751 1" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYag8PC0BewIiWmR53cxdN6KWyPauRK8ARnL6xsnJ7RZuKCGF8sPUfXFxUMasxBlhifwJ-5ujhgjLM0i67EgS9H6Bp6kgmohFDxznDIEuzppXMAHRfm0kEmTy25zRqla4fqSW4mIqyCixx/s0/IMG_9751+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9751 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3297" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqNqTSR6hb2VtI8izl4ph56i2zaiCy115VZClPz2F2erAGHBxbu3udyyBJMeXspEVE71NVbRGrAAcR4tsFz0ETfA77M69eqPTguMYoK5b5hZtl2QeiMh18vzVGonRiuifRUGRySMjDiy5/s0/IMG_3297.JPG" title="IMG_3297.JPG" width="650" /><br />
these next couple of pictures give you a sense of the crowds. apparently lots of people think new years in rome is a good idea :)<br />
<img alt="IMG 3307" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjx49cvJLHs9KxlLeq3FkAF16KGFNOTHjuUspF-Vud8OOyQsVWyvQh84vJTaOFzW08Gka0eiGrVJEmjJ0yXFmEQZrfHvW8kq0_MSZX5I-thhyphenhyphenD_PM-d2dIP0SKmjWd05_OISXzEwrvGIB/s0/IMG_3307.JPG" title="IMG_3307.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3313" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-7VUPMpQEIqVG77WrCTm8CDvHBaFZzitu91pWrwE2KA6UTv5ULRAVZLI9Z77WeBJBkbxVmx94mM_TGf06XrvHx3jY3nwGqrCR-4dcisu3hqyAThv2tV5WrmlXcnxOUlZDQdwSF1Pgido/s0/IMG_3313.JPG" title="IMG_3313.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3309" border="0" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWINW9VwxNX2qcoZp6dp9Y-uZDBYgVN5Un1NyYrBygpGSPBB8Hxv-sb-ksjo4cFI19jlczDSvXIQ1jqtIZKSWCpo3hFoEWQaqCHpBgFqvK7XcUEn3ujeC6LvlFLOpz4_23DWd-79bQ7cww/s0/IMG_3309.JPG" title="IMG_3309.JPG" width="650" /><br />the building i think i was actually <i>most</i> impressed by in rome was the vittorio emanuele ii monument. i just feel like i've never even seen a picture of this magnificent structure ... it was a total surprise to me among the very well-known edifices in rome. it is <i>so impressive</i> in person - just so <i>huge</i> and <i>grand.</i><br /><img alt="IMG 3320" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQmMDi0lCR_6nwzP4w_6mkgvoLiUjc1s8MT3dpmqbSXo-Wy6FtrDA6AvibDmP18CzS54gSySOaGns0NPQR8cOnbZqIlX9K-VHpWhm2bOwOskfUnfjD9K9ObJmwy7ira5fO1HOyFaF3OC0/s0/IMG_3320.JPG" title="IMG_3320.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 3321" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tm-iAV7INMJvaR6bAUPqRMiAoaur03e0owHPn-sC84ef9tY4DAx1Du96-JaMQFEFRc_aMMoVhuMGcwYza2Av7QCF-CzUDvZgCHuHdGSh-jp24ioUz-m0g8mNPKfDt8VGryuN0Al_rcwz/s0/IMG_3321.JPG" title="IMG_3321.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3327" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA68hlvt3P3khwNjaI2PNSEaa_bzzGRiOokm7xAVVG0h9nbNgq9l4Mx815rXgAOBKTPtu0YzL84mOLhhE4ZhSyJDv6_E2FxYUZXXHLpo2buXB4ips12K0Q3X9wTMwA1yamHC9yf9BYYgN/s0/IMG_3327.JPG" title="IMG_3327.JPG" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3330" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vlboHdg55QXVj9XsAbDiEWSBwm4BV8Bkk5bNAosKduLKPhpYi2XTXaEU79Kj1wDH5YaJ_O8diFdrih2qT1QqTcRTJpZiHnZx_s6Z48_j4VQ1Ex6nW1NbJeVaUQiFbtvFx61WrAa49Ydr/s0/IMG_3330.JPG" title="IMG_3330.JPG" width="650" /><br />we ate really well in rome. this pizza i picked up one nap time while ian stayed at the airbnb with the boys was out of this world. especially the potato and onion one. yummmmm.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9736 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe846bs9ufO6ZsYmRFT3sIezPFGM3RoCY8oX-ctOSFpRWn3Hm1hkzbiBXhSOA3vvZEbE8Gr4JLQ_uwPUpRPa6R1X7zVxvWNMLd6d_2dWninVhrUxQsilGzCkA-3fjkFuGl4z8EChzfQfp/s0/IMG_9736+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9736 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9741 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlW7naAaAywTjTEzVGlSBx5ZZ9wAEd31Zv31_0ll4UzbxF9KxVkpCQHLT8Em-vCXx4-V5WI4CtJl_gWbkSjZKZY2hEm_yuVuI1JLgdpDaao9hF4WZGYUhO3nAMSvjyd4dHFqqOFrOU6Ej/s0/IMG_9741+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9741 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />an evening walk to the pantheon:<br /><img alt="IMG 3341" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebxDzJAEdZ989DnGpWWMMQxi9HFunw2nvDDjsOVPyY5wWqxEghKyq0JJxV4nVN7RlzDDPTWmNnGycP4yslWqKNSZ-x4UrfngGbID_yO-UBQCL2EVyzf2V1LMpBDjAL4MsjAR_Qy5YVPAH/s0/IMG_3341.JPG" title="IMG_3341.JPG" width="650" /><br />with two sleeping baby boys:<br />
<img alt="IMG 3342" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrUW9mv_EUHUhQIbouh875qSFVIrdrlVLFhQN_-SHUbW-lmtuhyphenhyphen-HagjWk81U8F8uZOYlAkS55yCWAL7j9HQeWbA1GXZhmYJrvPSlFk48I8z7PCBzoU8d-8cJ7SeuZsVB3xBMF224xf7Q/s0/IMG_3342.JPG" title="IMG_3342.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3344" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiHuJsx1_1sDxHf08FjBk9sZaMjBHMnhPlL1CVV34rumLrGNpJlfwuoyCf6uwQTGKng9OXlDhrjeUXAufUuKx02tMsc0d1ISDQkN4sQsnKnc_KruR4kBKKrXj89wDeurHYg1G6N-GHafM/s0/IMG_3344.JPG" title="IMG_3344.JPG" width="323" /><br />we went together to trevi fountain to see it lit up at night. it was gorgeous, and the number of people admiring it was pretty incredible.<br /><img alt="IMG 3350" border="0" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcXSWWRZRqb0haX3o825WcSpdkd8lJDzVwMRuPahv6ZPFkmdFH_p7zOkSCLoJb8nD9y1Bv4JVza-UhaZ21X1IDtYeU_N9GquNkn0XZK6uK-8LgggnrSe28yT0yE5jGpbEWcAhh3WMmohG/s0/IMG_3350.JPG" title="IMG_3350.JPG" width="650" /><br />adventures in trying to get a photo with an overexcited toddler (who is going through a really-doesn't-want-to-smile-for-a-picture phase...):<br />
<img alt="IMG 9764 1" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGuwvMXHPfMHaNteOVC39dNrH7B5gg5KIzxv6YGb984oLh4wwIcGhVWHkC5TmQm9cUprh7p7dz6emkFmTlwZjFT6apE_7ShAD0X5nU4N1x05K6yUKdyHgzcZHCWCAxLCtc2KxfZHOI7LZ/s0/IMG_9764+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9764 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9771 1" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqU4Vu8dS0qsPPKTcUqq3oMRSv49q-QTTqTB466U_v0b59A8zaLblndFwSrw0udFmE5gpm-q3rE90eC0NF_yhLqVsUEigs1IexNhin1oatcqKq56bUpN7Zv7_Ax591j9YvoDoNEhVgaj2/s0/IMG_9771+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9771 (1).jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 9775 1" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCAQxtnJEBtlvr5guq1hEdS8PBLN_8d8jXEcmUGcqpAPZ840ik83ldGYNAcn_0ifpZNef8jEezaXXSuQ8yQZq97syoIy7dXTv407PxJwu2g3E1ZhIf73QONo0WjECcbFXIC2dhehf0zHV/s0/IMG_9775+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9775 (1).jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 9780 1" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh7biZc6ZlAy5xMribl9ytYWMKKeP0BFkvvJCPh_A8txENaJO2f5kFGpwSu5WcYDTZ6JrllGMCL9HF6re1SvlupydImWygeGVMHum_Rd0JJKQLFFxzSS2klH0YkHIESSDjIqIYKB9_6r1/s0/IMG_9780+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9780 (1).jpg" width="650" /><br />this gives you a little sense of the crowd that night. it was packed!<br /><img alt="IMG 9786 1" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmcbMOiTtbI9_IOfh_crqwYb7sNeXEUZ63JsD0-C6L1aaW2h3qRXg62pruFPMrjLAWbqurYHCzY3NfWbIb9Nxnwu1gvHxCIZPwTUEM8mx6uBVbJeglwkEOu1nCI5K7n895v39ufXKAIsk/s0/IMG_9786+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9786 (1).jpg" width="650" /><br />...and here's some more attempts of pictures with moses, this time back at the spanish steps:<br /><img alt="IMG 9799 1" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0Rx1l-zlsd-295eh_kBIWIo5Q_7DbzSeS0h-MYm3-twT-Vnc-Ix9sNC2S_bL9KJZH0suz5eSFKXoxESQIn8uU8w-S5FnvpYi7p_NsGPEvw_Mxve4mB2PIAW17n7nnbCJaN281AIaDRhW/s0/IMG_9799+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9799 (1).jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 9801 1" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA6tGAmBmoPOBY79kD7HSDejUd8SvrHe-hzOeRSBob4F_emXGW1-D0UJloSSgiVOMr1IHpXrRM-fpgmpwtOjnBg4Rk6bs6W89W46WyPR5EKI8dX8h7HmEuTHOWmHrCO1daWiElfAdmdcX/s0/IMG_9801+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9801 (1).jpg" width="650" /><br />it was pretty incredible to look out over this absolute <i>sea</i> of humans from the top of the steps, where we took a break to nurse the baby.<br /><img alt="IMG 3357" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3_BtvYiG9wZqpt11vfX4Mavn7cr7tSP3-_p6BA_fyn1RzXK0o6u7v372qCV6QV8G5iipsA5LDIr035EX0H4SOsLA-xgh4ogg5sSJ2kYXFG-2DerRkjF6XrnlSxBz9_njsDL6hyphenhyphenMm6xrm/s0/IMG_3357.JPG" title="IMG_3357.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 6477" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEerEAYWUBqUpXYcxmlbBN26fpvERgX53h-LVA93lKQ4UvVG5u7W-bCVpK62HTyxeHQ22ClA-Dm8xAasj6tn7I5msT_oqa73HQX0Ld08nJ_txBcuCTDv4BuG8ZgPzFLyXnLHHTPJwFpqKp/s0/IMG_6477.jpg" title="IMG_6477.jpg" width="650" /><br />the christmas decorations around rome were <i>awesome</i>. i didn't get many good photos because wrangling these boys just doesn't leave many hands for cameras. but i looooved how christmassy everything felt there. after seeing trevi fountain and the spanish steps lit up at night, we walked through the decked, cobbled streets back to our airbnb, stopping once for pizza and once for gelato - of course!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9803 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkGdZ2rUM0Pe4jVNRdJkHDaA8mQsqLBs_1NEG5IdNLMEOM5YWlniQbK_nXGPw-wHv_f9Zjr5NEP74kRoElbm9OLdoUwnzSJkr9i4uIfRjelKcDOUPPv_AA1hxmhzChK09ed_WhqzpwRU1/s0/IMG_9803+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9803 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9817 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGg23GgKs_9Si2G9201HQUc2ycnMXh-BDq8rkPMqkgIw3ELk7uwsZlJhw0itxE6K4DW-9Vl68CfF3KHgsn7ElyXLSwOmDYrQX1FDuMmjKxcbrgNstRG7kEPtgticPSk4gpPoT5x3AAZ9X/s0/IMG_9817+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9817 (1).jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i almost put all my pictures from this trip in one post, but there was just too much roman goodness to fit! so ... to be continued!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-91752547185937261482019-01-08T10:00:00.000+00:002019-01-09T22:32:18.237+00:00wright family christmas 2018<img alt="IMG 3196" border="0" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0j-sXW4TKLAnu5jkCG-RQ1XCxLNRBVrYV0V8c7WsWj2M0bIWRh2QxXDstDUEUgWV86KKi9mLhiMaaWbQUupZJ2ClrIvs0QHR87_aj9Xb8L-NpwSoV9zxZslHxHYqxBLDfRmMRdxuO7vO/s0/IMG_3196.JPG" title="IMG_3196.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3121" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8K7qLyaFo6HqsxDWujDyXf1kwzQlOvZspr4fF0OZbRotdRjeSNSvICJxHzMEb3xzs1k2zalhWnHpYVK0bf2XcmUE0Xs0oUoDQ7yiDXQtEZD2o5EOjrhCuKIpn1hTTm56jTeoMlI3Vhkg/s0/IMG_3121.JPG" title="IMG_3121.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 9498" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1YmhUAz5FITUGhi0lmuD6SEliM-fGHfto45b4o3JfoWBF1cGWZJPU2XoSRGFnb47naAsUMLCkIagEnWG8bby9N_yrLdO0zNVtPaVQ8VufM9VnGws5TczOFxcpjcgdKdO4PYAXubR6yNS/s0/IMG_9498.jpg" title="IMG_9498.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
our christmas 2018 was so, so, so merry. we kept things simple and expectations low given that gabriel and i landed in london after a transatlantic red-eye flight on the morning of christmas eve. and the 24th, 25th, and 26th of december were just the sweetest, happiest days, full of excitement and magic and love for baby jesus and each other.<br />
<br />on christmas eve we had our traditional "jerusalem supper" (the recipes i use each year are <a href="https://www.recipetineats.com/arabian-feast-fast-cost-efficient-make-ahead/">here</a> and we <i>love</i> them) and talked about the nativity story. then we got the boys dressed in their matching christmas pajamas!<br />
<img alt="IMG 2977" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCsk6Ko6ps_sr8tArrWEQVxpjpiTRFPnuY9HsvsnC9r5ept-jXL_499NfH4-cYVQzAdipwnLY6Vi24KrHkQ1LjK5-N13TnhM6wRBe7a5qAS6J53Ml6CNXKfYBqcQrj-Jrx0pblNokQy1X/s0/IMG_2977.JPG" title="IMG_2977.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 2983" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoQxSZmM4Cj8Jofpro1SpaBpPVyKLJXqm6-lxPFVFKqPR2mDZhqZq5u1sEnrDZhMhfPbIr_7IpvATAxmtTsUiUa-bqRrVYYG_-x-xYnlGHG6O_CRjb_Cbp45wq6Us8jhzShaFUnHmpFnL/s0/IMG_2983.JPG" title="IMG_2983.JPG" width="323" /><br />we got to take a bunch of food, treats and presents to the hospital near our home to act as "santa's helpers" for a family that we have become friends with that has struggled over the past few months with significant health issues. the boys were pretty excited to be dressed as "elves" - ian even gelled their hair into what he dubbed "elf hairdos." here's some attempts at a cute wright bothers photo ... haha!<br /><img alt="IMG 2988" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsthxkhyphenhyphenjxQyj-qHAQLBJs9uWZfT3Ero-E4sTJE_qG2_JbNfWSBs2K9IgfV3HGFpyCUwlj5j2m8rBmZ_SFLPi5dFH6Q8sk2vtTfXpMh36b3WJX5HEGfsP97p7aDEAxGTRMebhTtvs-UJc/s0/IMG_2988.JPG" title="IMG_2988.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 2991" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLPELTrm1ZsnwMeJ8sHRJsDEEsZr05T1xnS2o9lQnkRmxMuoDfF4l1iUaqurFDSoLFBeybcJfy4Fkm89uaIn-l20waH0Zq9X5VdDaSy9e01rlgRe1UjgBgGLECCU2-WTEKosfFue1F2OF/s0/IMG_2991.JPG" title="IMG_2991.JPG" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 2992" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4rnxuj83JOnyRObLkpSEPg5tSDpAf5QQuTWKYSFK66gjfFjLz8q99Sxo4SfcIJZhflPHnJ488wsoWVzWhd3dvFhqSCLZA4PeBa00mGL8Bw1Hrf5srEgDGLvSN5f8u_GUEQmRg4ET0jzD/s0/IMG_2992.JPG" title="IMG_2992.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 2993" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8eL7rSoH8uHZM7SqEhjgGDIFlmvH0ZhGcCUQB6fqcrpRJPjiJTIXZUTBb8byBedtBB5jBHoFA0ZFTm5VkxTYBNQdnpdnBB01RxyTbySqps3bxdHI-tXVkKThDI7yEB3X4ICRTqV1R7GS/s0/IMG_2993.JPG" title="IMG_2993.JPG" width="323" /><br />our walk home from the hospital was lovely. it wasn't too cold and there was excitement in the still air and we passed some fun decorated houses.<br /><img alt="IMG 9460" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD03EzbLYNmDr60F_3qv_V7SPI9C47pGeqjMJ30btzpWnoWk8FVDQQqvHwHA28HhvW7cLIv1i5Z_ywL4310lEoG1vRCLkHyUmtJh-V06GS_15DmSvMEFn_1DRDU9lXb780l_fUQvNVSrwd/s0/IMG_9460.jpg" title="IMG_9460.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9462" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLVtEUnrSkOYH-Qstrq-I71tlH04NV1O6-8z-wdJqVpBXVf3f-7ypvx93yo1epziLCxZpE8gFwpYN7Nj9GDv9uCmwZuUg9tiaXmqBT_G4uwN00p7XQaGIsR9Hdy1LxYR-RR4PUiNhaupw/s0/IMG_9462.jpg" title="IMG_9462.jpg" width="323" /><br />we lit our german christmas pyramid and sang some carols together before bed. my heart was sure glowing while taking in this scene:<br /><img alt="IMG 3016" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FyaByfUIguvlgM555erFjVUrRmcgSZa9TXEbpaoAKPTJ98zZJSixfJ6j7NXwSLjO6K7IerpKSXrFWUFByFSKiAFHpKrmfFwPJZJQ64pTKUGfQW-vXTg_x2rOrdE2CUxIGuhA_pp-u8vV/s0/IMG_3016.JPG" title="IMG_3016.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3017" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4ivKosyBU_89lnm5CcbQ8DODZBubzdlkPNtznZ_wv-eH4GeQZhD2a3csCsnl3MPxgEyB28YEqme6C2tjCUGT9x1aRNtoRmb7EoMcqFMUHatM-rrKk_nqizckYyhf7cd8-MdLQ-6AEs8v/s0/IMG_3017.JPG" title="IMG_3017.JPG" width="650" /><br />moses got to hear the bells from santa's sleigh right before bedtime! ;) ian and i stuffed stockings and set out gifts and remarked at how wonderful it was to be back all together. gabriel woke a few times in the night thanks to jet lag but as i nursed him back to sleep i read reflections about the saviour's birth and felt the wonder of christmas deep in my bones. when we woke up to moses's voice in the morning, i was confused because there was sunlight peaking through our curtains. it was 8:30am! this was a true christmas miracle (mo usually wakes up before 7am). oooooh man there's <i>nothing</i> like that giddy christmas morning feeling (and this was intensified by the refreshment of having slept much longer than expected!).<br />mo was thrilled to see that santa had left a full stocking on the inside of his door! and was delighted by every simple item that he pulled out.<br /><img alt="IMG 3028" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-FPSZEFOSmg1OPnCy2AmiDci2P-tIAl2-bPDBBI7wAEOUaJMdX_VzNBCZmXpEId5oUiNYqW7Q8OO0awwCwogxRD2NtXT2GMpEZVRbZ2ap3-xvs42PP3lmOHQzG02DdyoCn6GpB6c_NhT/s0/IMG_3028.JPG" title="IMG_3028.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3029" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbhqa0IA9Gty73SGKWOrFnELEf71LpxCL-3BnxX1MWI76HL-PPHNCsq0wj6hr_hA7jK6-9EsCHVMb998enqStTvmkfI0MDRDpfbu5rbYZKk01vGkC-h7oDSicrcqGCNzThtlplMfCw5HX/s0/IMG_3029.JPG" title="IMG_3029.JPG" width="323" /><br />i thought we may have to do christmas morning part 1 and 2 - assuming gabriel would sleep in a lot with his jet lag. but he woke up happy just before 9 and joined in the stocking fun!<br /><img alt="IMG 3032" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPOkx8BRtairbEOM2Ry1CX9vXbTr3eqK-PMvADs-qXF104OD00bopVCeoMb2agkDz8Oia5_l0xwBIk7IrWU4dgY0dEx8qvlNqs2iext09V9zZr2hnDuGNCdgNt8uBJvWuof7ub2Ao61ZL/s0/IMG_3032.JPG" title="IMG_3032.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3037" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZO7f2L4t_XYwcHw4G8m0ht4_-YHL_kcu3FWn2EUCdeeIb4yzEgedu_rDmvQ_7XdZD0pVPPndNaXCFEUq3VH3NL6NBoQ328SuWygMs1_gVAwFLrxVPWyFqQYLRum8zNs7SLrvccW4RoG/s0/IMG_3037.JPG" title="IMG_3037.JPG" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3040" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2SPS5kwL7reiW_fJYq0GIH63zi7UzSAAVGtxCMVxloB0L9VSt9ApQQuEzG7vrotqI9pvKX5gsTaHwUD4BCrSOlg9JjRb5gB-rN51FbArteJH7730Ac4PTBjHyGvo7NEM1-CV1QAOnF9V/s0/IMG_3040.JPG" title="IMG_3040.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3042" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_kQNBSygvCmQiMvTRa3w_RTNCZHIh9mqPqx__8hlKBtcul8Xv1uWCJ-Cr61dzo8hVJC1JQYRnBTHLcR3zQAPl-G9mV7UFjuUqRA1EDwGW6cmXuFqGOaWJ1O_Mk39tejcmP0eO12Xi1aD/s0/IMG_3042.JPG" title="IMG_3042.JPG" width="323" /><br />we said a prayer of gratitude and then headed into our "big room" to see if santa had brought anything there! mo ran up to the two little boxes of "trains and train tracks" waiting for him, looked at them with wide eyes for a couple seconds and then exclaimed, <i>"i was a good boy!"</i> haha! he was thrilled that he'd "passed" and santa brought him what he asked for! the trains and train tracks came out of the box and were played with <i>immediately</i> :)<br /><img alt="IMG 3048" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hz3ywuXUDMQJ5-VJFg0HaGxy6OChSl-DY1PrrTX68SEb30410sGCoXbsjRDtCBubQa5crw4RTcrXf8jALBwDbrQsYPZFtB0gPfmeiqT6Cy2x8qAWaUa3UUZ-gnGWLzbOSD0pz8AJhDo4/s0/IMG_3048.JPG" title="IMG_3048.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3063" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ppnYgvu5WdWbLsqGG1h3c_2sq9zsXYWnT3EYoHvUM-z3hLsrYqXzB_vEfgRl_TlTSI2mvdp2AmM5rTVGIL8UDH43NYDlu5oMseFmtiXPbqmRPYKlVqggkVY8dJMWq9J60HVFhMC1jgW2/s0/IMG_3063.JPG" title="IMG_3063.JPG" width="323" /><br />we helped the boys pick out gifts for each other and for mommy and daddy in the weeks leading up to christmas, which was so fun. here's a blurry picture capturing the moment that the present moses picked out for gabriel was unwrapped! gabe was excited but moses was <i>thrilled. </i>a little ball pit!<br /><img alt="IMG 3088" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU5LzSA94bADeS9rAPyyWG0zBbfvJJZp7nZ99dGfuPl8FAPBaRZz7YJzpTlEyxoDTJy1ouWoroGm4wvjBlMTi9oGHbrawCMXw0oaDZEx4HhcbT9fVc4159HlXMnIchjvTAmQdNt22EERd/s0/IMG_3088.JPG" title="IMG_3088.JPG" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3096" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWUgTYs1ZaCGoezLugeiFmfB00zJ7b9L0EMCQ-m843gThDwCRI8k2IUPf3AWyzdJeVeDmG-lfCpda4KIixcyrQOVKEKZh48GZiaK3PKpDjPLhFtM_4HEf62uTHJZx2WV-cZCnFLvhUpsO/s0/IMG_3096.JPG" title="IMG_3096.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3076" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCoiwcpUVd_J4bN70diUOpJIsfo8TsqHDIcAQJf4h7EGuMXOmmx6GO2rMPTLYPonnxak2NvBGIJ07hj8wa42_Vqc5yZ24TOMmeCGxrxnOJ_EUQ12lFe3vpkvxFo5P2B6U1qaLa8x6Yvi9/s0/IMG_3076.JPG" title="IMG_3076.JPG" width="323" /><br />and here's ian opening up a gift from me while the boys very happily played with their new toys:<br /><img alt="IMG 3103" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBDr1oUHMtInaG8Jqv_qmZYVs3q20y2UG75VRXU58_oN_bRAAm-C0odcZ-YtfgFvbM4pq1TPcU3le6t0jes6bz9XRWpyU3niRIZ1vJhylwZ5bpIIVfPPsUCOlT_QVfYCx4cKXj0F4NZtg/s0/IMG_3103.JPG" title="IMG_3103.JPG" width="650" /><br />and here's a couple photos of the boys being forced leave said toys for a couple minutes to take a family photo. haha! these are the best we could do this year:<br /><img alt="IMG 3117" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV19ljmy8mDIdsztHvwYBXxXY6fV6nbvnp9ztMLIUBMG7D83qfsCsnemhUlaFoGXjX198xtWFsNwbhL_cDlo17FdiQunIzheRygdpLxlz-oBe4qcImvjxIk18fR3m9u5V7XdmQ_UXU9Cfc/s0/IMG_3117.JPG" title="IMG_3117.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 3123" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroGcrFIKlp5ZcrsEcKGoM7yTXyf1CWMFnnpW9bXMRpggvfBHOblXV8snBXltxhvK3VHdRkTK3yku4apRVtI4dtcufNPnfcPIbYmVcHjckSYJmsGcRhyphenhyphenTPADhDRXCSTwAbVhJ8rfxlzOzM/s0/IMG_3123.JPG" title="IMG_3123.JPG" width="650" /><br />i had been so worried that gabriel would be grumpy on christmas because of jet lag, but he was <i>super</i> happy. like, maybe the happiest i have ever seen him! i was sooooo glad to see him heartily enjoy his first christmas. he sure knew it was a special, merry day!<br /><img alt="IMG 3138" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ4fCfBwtiupJo1rQDYBqJr8EdcNfh-Ed1KS98bMyJDWSQH_nuME-mM7bxIVFX7vnHR3Pb28htn_zm9Km64pRJMdH1M0GUDcrENnk9SxMsTfBR9Y86RMhon8Am9FCnPseB4jmiLlLsGJV/s0/IMG_3138.JPG" title="IMG_3138.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3145" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv9VI3fwNw7rMj-IhcJ0uOmB0sPKfMsaBXIXuc_qLGN5QFOXRkgCcdAbkNTfjZOb26lX-B2nRLdbux16_Gc1rkz4ZZWISleZuJ_LO6fSAYy9lJUYv0njXNkK9UH7VxGRN2I36yhNwSzQB/s0/IMG_3145.JPG" title="IMG_3145.JPG" width="323" /><br />we have a tradition of not cleaning up any of the wrapping paper until all the gifts are opened. it's just such a happy mess! we are pretty deliberate about limiting gifts (one from santa, one from parents, one from each family member, one from each grandparent) ... but it still felt like so much!<br /><img alt="IMG 3147" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1lYy7GKojUj3xrfH1ww2YHLOQ7Vs4P-t29VEchqtQSuMCp2Z3yLUk4ZLwm9NyY12JIRRCh4y86aO-HX_1MZ_mbBIb9Q8sldYCbOR0NuEhvChper_fdaqA-dF06lPCwcI6uUkMfkUe8vC/s0/IMG_3147.JPG" title="IMG_3147.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3172" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSagQObO7dfsQFzeL_9sct53jir069qJsFzvJlTOH6bhTukv8SQFahLuzZievfNmihKi7TbD1_Brevh62t8OyXrHtyKBhIuc04phcS00z-7SNY60p1YeTUKNFyuSQWcWn-rGKt77k-d3tz/s0/IMG_3172.JPG" title="IMG_3172.JPG" width="323" /><br />we also have a tradition of going to a church service every christmas. the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints doesn't hold services on christmas day unless it falls on a sunday, so we get to join with christians of other denominations with this tradition, which we love. in the past we have attended services at london's most iconic and historical churches: st. martin's in the field, westminster abbey, and st. paul's cathedral. this year we went to our neighborhood anglican church. we pass this building all the time but hadn't yet been in - and it's so beautiful! the music and messages at christmas mass were really lovely, but we had to leave before they were over thanks to an overactive toddler ;) here he is running to church on christmas morning in his candy cane stripped pjs:<br /><img alt="IMG 9469" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGrjUss7wFVlRlpBY2dF4cF2FBjdTmfnh7dW5PD_Vwt6GDiFlIn4fau2qlAlJHLwwkO_zo4iiu9ufGJxLH4YHuiyKlQ2dtWPrbCE8gtsFiCJgM16inQEo3mNUDambz4DVnWVrJfw8M9Vp/s0/IMG_9469.jpg" title="IMG_9469.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9473" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8EUTVZmTTX2EbV6UdWPzrKLal9A0bxheqE62oKVX4Px12njIbzBtwwS3Y0UKt7ZIJv-DYrMgnpVgR5viY3Tgbd3qAS0IpmoDvsxN41d6co5iVQcTX-irJfmGQwPacgkh_QwC4r-zrPE3/s0/IMG_9473.jpg" title="IMG_9473.jpg" width="323" /><br />after church i made our traditional eggs benedict (and totally messed up the hollandaise sauce again...arg! we are actually going to try starting up a different christmas breakfast tradition next year). and kept at it with present opening and toy playing:<br /><img alt="IMG 3175" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrAkegC8gqQCUD9xezZVdDwfUdg2vnpssJBLmYqf7Df-taH7El9i3fZh_kZ2jKakLDUioM5v6aaLROsmvSiP1avB3WSVm3OVIRYEurWOyMIfSKNESsACjB2FRJ-Ls5-m_x09NcDVfWd6H/s0/IMG_3175.JPG" title="IMG_3175.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3177" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVzMIwjtKL-_jRs5elwJUXE7vuzDjO8xSfWLFcYsmbfqGh-Tld3X7Nv1I7lXPSuiU9Fo5jlCUG0rywGJQX0_V6XzQaM1sVHTBC4LkCAbVsCVeCWvedMuwzOpVreOAEgOA24LLK88qebGc/s0/IMG_3177.JPG" title="IMG_3177.JPG" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 3189" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXD9Y2jyOGTCh8z0LI64Px2aWKFnvkKzGabTfjeH_UEsb_NAyKuurxrqmNlJzF7XDYYzTgEowSTR2DYWCjpyg7KJOypxL8nKqIVhA9j4-7_Ze-cUZZUhhsGoUc82oVxZl4LDWruaGbTrm/s0/IMG_3189.JPG" title="IMG_3189.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3198" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C8zEA3r-_Zy3tsKb-t4lLyB3iVg7n-kETWo_2AootIbJwJppPDagv5LduGQ9VVaiT_TFqF-dvb68CF5mWR22GL3cECPUarMGfnxVldyPOeZgS69ZBmpnxcYZAgVct9Mv5SX5vt0_cmMu/s0/IMG_3198.JPG" title="IMG_3198.JPG" width="323" /><br />we facetimed grandma and grandpa and grammie and grandfather to thank them for their gifts and wish they happy christmas.<br /><img alt="IMG 9476" border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJvfSA0GySfbq6PLBF7nac0QAxZFYOduIZXGvysWRTSHiZXXjX-mzcY1-I7NBSWgGD0Y2NurRXd-zsatMI9Ul4yviqqVEc6iHn62LgEGr0pcI6x7cFv_3au5QzoKfwZv0JVPAh3-TfSKg/s0/IMG_9476.jpg" title="IMG_9476.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9477" border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4zXC4hpYWFqjQJqZqjOMjJPSiJm8SPpX44zSoflDuhkrW0132J1OsWHGEuEzJA8w_zT4SPBFD2MwRDDvyG4hmKH9FMT-nxwXY7lY3G4N0nNUy9qF8AeGkczOp2SUYBh49GR9d3BrLBcU/s0/IMG_9477.jpg" title="IMG_9477.jpg" width="323" /><br />and played and played as nighttime descended.<br /><img alt="IMG 9489" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1itb-EfBkvAuRYBzAJsdrZfxE9vSrngURIAxb8vBjQUPNKP4vEUgBFrG9Gkww19DfH4nUKxg4XU20WecPafscmtAdq2Epss1uD8dQBo13lbC0nRPEBbMf4YD1ziBBRP8UgrKsX0xmHg1/s0/IMG_9489.jpg" title="IMG_9489.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9494" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAJlsMSdsYDwK5IWavPDAZltyNWbI1BFDdToFwYJWtd4UAaVdi1n838Hu691IZ2Aw-hcmkBrYUBYs2PMZ6MaU2E3N0EQElUmWqhl6InF_2NDgDMt9zGVwReaxwZMj5PVERT6NQz1lssbx/s0/IMG_9494.jpg" title="IMG_9494.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 3217" border="0" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuUm2o2DxF7TOF6Rkqnpyp_XLMBNrVc_FtpIX4XKbceHT_hRhiBzLwOVY8EbKu1eG3Fg0R6EC0q3KNbupA5uf_yKgN5L8P1MtV2EW3bL65AnRMf4A6S5P6Gb1J6Jhd9aliXGGKxZoq8oz/s0/IMG_3217.JPG" title="IMG_3217.JPG" width="650" /><br />of course baby gabriel's favourite thing to play with was the wrapping paper :)<br /><img alt="IMG 3207" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TC8IoK0U5cT2Ys5sHuO0bInqkEqifafGnh1T9IYLNOGc290ICFzZ0FDl_Mff3uEHzRBKrBptbDc7RGDW8JatwhxY_BmhD7NyWOH8QONpG-Fxi14cZxAJovEyA9o89GJRCP8XTeqQtgGX/s0/IMG_3207.JPG" title="IMG_3207.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3221" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVNsgVX1mDocQWZ9Kgr-JrmjUdE9NnBSOLFTgR221GrCCI0jK1a-vRdd2RryfMN37rKaURIdjL5TggNAfc0a8062Rk014zbtEoj3FgnLgwLrP4X3WCQB37_QJ2ioNaZ9eb91Mjjuy3Znc/s0/IMG_3221.JPG" title="IMG_3221.JPG" width="323" /><br />and, as always, my nose (this baby is constantly grabbing my face, haha!).<br /><img alt="IMG 3210" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb2YVBKtIGXj_o4_-5cuu40ScYFHOBkKDqR-LpJP_nj8vPqeIZXDzJ2NdMpWcyJj7nrMaIFWz9JZDzMEa2dhIauWU325MmAvrf3iFRWPjLQ3BuReNTYGCuA19HJav7Rx-ykTGSS7DN3BY/s0/IMG_3210.JPG" title="IMG_3210.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 3211" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CihoU2gIqartT2FFgeMrRjHwk1oldx9p69aOMbHdVRmtVqsUFt3YXAV4Xa1mfMHO9jwNpYMelezNs0E6srUn8nOKXW9LTyEd93m-ClIUWFIG2MCRAwKLzOJANbThi7a_CsPiZCRIFFsY/s0/IMG_3211.JPG" title="IMG_3211.JPG" width="323" /><br />we invited our neighbors over for dinner (leftovers from the jersualem supper) and to join us in our tradition of having a birthday cake for jesus. we lit the candles, sang heartily, and enjoyed chocolate peppermint yumminess.<br />another awesome attempt at a nice family picture: :)<br /><img alt="IMG 3223" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GE2VZ-QwQSKCMbhpmxYkB-StAZZlMxqGCJCIS_GXHKzS0ZGgggEMlBbq10IIDtRKhktRhThHucG3q-4bg9IgtMchDak2BmHTARJE8p1kLaln0Mr_59NSwKV0hcekhElObO3kZHh1Mccx/s0/IMG_3223.JPG" title="IMG_3223.JPG" width="650" /><br />when we cuddled up in bed that night, i told ian that i was soooooooo happy. every moment of christmas just felt so wonderful.<br />on boxing day, we went on our traditional bike ride. this year both ian and i had a baby strapped to our bodies! we took it really slow and careful on empty hyde park paths and everyone had a blast, even in the cooooold.<br /><img alt="IMG 9505" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5MUxoUcPvEX9PjOPK0GcTGgdM1VvR0r5tLKDYsGb-DHXWKORvB9GVc12JDgHvvJ1ocPwdEcD8hlAS2BtLsBx1S4tmKmijXCyqDPcdtYWAFaMifl9q0yyInjtyyuPZ9FHczhO4hhbQi7P/s0/IMG_9505.jpg" title="IMG_9505.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9511" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2yRO4VGhAND5oSEG0aNjRPYdWcOxQ-jaBFPhA3jyyYVlgYFTGgfeRQHPFQ8iZKvck0c8Sa7q7wTAek9ULAgEybaSjHEkbiWJ2viOo8eVtOFdfObanEAjnNLiqlApW1dTH0iasRc0cvtd/s0/IMG_9511.jpg" title="IMG_9511.jpg" width="323" /><br />and we enjoyed these pretty wreaths in our neighborhood on the way home.<br /><img alt="IMG 9516" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp0XuejeCVEFxi2tZ2rc5J1Vq_bnqfYZK5tX-iwAlP_jWAbBRgZaj6uIwPZkfPJGJdNvJ5UV0ma2PQ87QIu9dPr2tQdRGOZ6FCCdFdRQxeupHTxoeULmUihqR8pjWiwcWlZC_3sLMgmvt/s0/IMG_9516.jpg" title="IMG_9516.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9503" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4SKIFWTttfd7xsMjtboKkeY3huEANmdUq9T5n9a_0B9G2_Qj8p04tho7pYjcV8q15IPfkRZHqEn5H6Ae2v8LhAjErJRdj5-TpNZGZgCpUBWt0CB6REdIEFVmXYwz9SxdtMGPpbnGuS6G/s0/IMG_9503.jpg" title="IMG_9503.jpg" width="323" /><br />that afternoon, we went to harrods to look at the window displays and roam the toy department, just for fun. these are the only two pictures i got of that excursion, but check out the pure joy in that face!<br /><img alt="IMG 9523" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODtQcp9aOnXHougLRBvltQxPXR3USwxCMHOnrBO4PXJxkeCtvPLulXj_AoYQk4xXjzKRtVCdwDG5kJ23OCmciji1IVFamAOVv_Bawd_7KhXpYfRCzwIf8eK2bmFOSgU7Wh-tkWp4Q1QNo/s0/IMG_9523.jpg" title="IMG_9523.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9524" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94vhM-b1w9u_QcPyKifmuwXYojhrKuxjuD__MQYHdgscp3qXzGwPBs7dA56ekwybJ6RHaIZ1Hkk3ZJ-EKMPzXl8q247o5rMnvj56ni2RQdflzjMGVCXJUFd7eIW2mgz1vsTQORWK5Q11t/s0/IMG_9524.jpg" title="IMG_9524.jpg" width="323" /><br />and the next morning, it was time to start putting away the christmas stuff and get ready for our family trip to rome. i snapped these photos of moses in front of our advent calendar to send to ian's mom. she made this for us - an exact replica of the one she made and used with ian and his siblings as they grew up. moses <i>loooooved</i> putting a new ornament on the tree each morning throughout december.<br /><img alt="IMG 9528" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_E2ax6DeNP91ffJueysNEoK2Pnvjz6fMORqypenG6_lJPOk7u_nnDHE-PRr8kWUwVTLYKCVqvDEk_h0bTmz45RaNrUMdCTcVlfFZgMxt2ACYJ2JgnyljZwG4ODpCaQGO_wtusr7BbiUZ/s0/IMG_9528.jpg" title="IMG_9528.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9530" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbeY66xvO7fkhbRUdEs1MkSeGWzfGRgqi-7thvl3zIFkQIb_HD1cqZ5ZZUDf74_kjkpHjQjw51Q91Qs-_RhGJeld7jN28FtFEemuzt_-BOs63WGdpNh99IKk3ojfD0CgZpagPRE1p7bPN/s0/IMG_9530.jpg" title="IMG_9530.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i have a feeling that christmases are just going to get better and better around here. this christmas was so very, very merry and i'm already looking forward to next!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-25077328239564960142019-01-06T20:10:00.000+00:002019-01-09T22:32:29.333+00:00arizona, a wedding, and f a m i l y<img alt="IMG 1030" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR5K2f3VMv1qkOG5jHh3fUZCSP5a5zPZAOOYaajI6zoLQHLuEi7MAsY6FDDtKBH0jYogK_48r56sNJ2_u0b0C8pBFohcjS_hOp7qeMKoJIpmMPpL5M6DgscBV3DIaMVlIxKGk6dgz3LYs/s0/IMG_1030.jpg" title="IMG_1030.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
flying halfway around the world with a baby (and without his dad and brother!) right before christmas for just four jet-lagged days is pretty much crazy. but it was really so worth it to be at my nephew's wedding and to spend time with my family. (oh, and the amazing weather in arizona didn't hurt!) it was a wild adventure that left my body and mind so tired, but my heart so full.<br />
<br />
i always say that the one thing i don't absolutely love about london is that it's so far from family. <i>not</i> missing this gathering (unlike many that have come before in the past few years) was the right thing for me, and i'm so grateful i was able to go.<br />
<br />
indeed, the crazy trip was worth it - for the fantastic wedding day:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9129" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXXU6qXbBoQ-Mz9CV-4tCH3BSuUUcWE3ne_2BdWK6Q1E3-MlfmVoILb0djVBSrER1jB7Mz2H1idhywG_2x_hVE9GpvuWxq0EwS5wAJcQYy3p21BGEa6-EoG4-wPVCwGh4jAnY0sB3VQNm/s0/IMG_9129.jpg" title="IMG_9129.jpg" width="650" /><br />
the time with beloved family members:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9254" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVE18KSnrGIADT07w2pFd_EwVCgcZk9gMEG5AzKH-qNYx1wqkKby2EcdjyHzyCT8II1CrD-WbF4MQO1Es9mkaXwJ2_CxKB3F8RqFdWtU9Y0Tkl97oGQmcSiDKwEMuovVejVl0KzMKh25N/s0/IMG_9254.jpg" title="IMG_9254.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0971" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8DnAJTy94NIFmHaWxdQQy1FKm7ZTub5QMK9QPO9j2WwcQw1UzVMpc8Q4h4uQYsmYa_wtLTwnPRxKYORfQgGlYXaxL83Uwac5GW0WclWGRIVn6b1lmHGje-hA-LUKhrhiJC5etcjJS2BE/s0/IMG_0971.jpg" title="IMG_0971.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 0982" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zI-WjHfr6v_mdnsZJh6uwo2eAaPeQ3a9lG8UT7d2gOyORGXw44OH2khat-LDcWeazXdzBg0UyeL59ZZaxHhKwjGclS6yVB1SFx-b7T6_kd_b6gHNW28Py2tEZ2S157i7IWvtNiFpbH0-/s0/IMG_0982.jpg" title="IMG_0982.jpg" width="323" /><br />
and the sunshine:<br />
<img alt="IMG 7143" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB7vmya7xp8xluFvYVMCRgMCJttuSSmHVwgJ0HzxZkysx932L0UzzTPrIPcu43IlfC6lPhOv4CJha4iR4F9rCZ2XaMS5-shF4OIPItQfcKGoR9Pu2MBJmDYRDz3Czs2HLVvZ2edebRbVw/s0/IMG_7143.jpg" title="IMG_7143.jpg" width="650" /><br />
all relished, with a side of christmas magic:<br />
<img alt="IMG 4886" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I4TjLhpkicvTremNVBN9kl5bNJ9dKESHcJsq05ftMR4KUHfinTRX7EaqzMnBIwHwwo9vT5_BcvZU_jQ_qhNSsfcUIIDSNZnQFYNkKZh9tzlbn2dOsN_4WD9BC15eIidRGchIOMlf6Edl/s0/IMG_4886.jpg" title="IMG_4886.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 4883" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVVj2uZTFR3sNC99hqh5HifYBx0-1AEMdUHfWH5_CGbh-tH20vqZOcZI8LxwgvGGT21KEP5E6U1dqGeQhx6Dr8FG_-t-MOF8FOEdvUmlNGhfHvLP3kxGicbUPBT2w7iAHMoAhyN65aVHG/s0/IMG_4883.jpg" title="IMG_4883.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
gabriel was a champ on the long flight from london to minneapolis, and then we happened to be on the same flight as my brother and his family from minneapolis to phoenix - crazy! so much fun to meet up with them in the airport during our layovers.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9116" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ69V6gzQr6SJazR247lgU0NkN29PogZpwxtm9E5NEXO0OYZib2dWUjwyfQaNczBg4j6fSZpNOMaX1mE9jSxLtqXtNDtBEnoFt16l7CNlyXo73BLCwqb3BW1HpDpozj2vNI6J12GirqkK7/s0/IMG_9116.jpg" title="IMG_9116.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9121" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgck7PrCNak-l4r4fLQVNDqm_jLHZwdZf6cZYcXiIVjN9nUBEdT5J_KC-Mk-rTNLmmppGDQVmrccTVrYYyeabkn9uACLts81WZGAVfXa2NlgzNWlRenoQ-hNlgKwGZ10kcETMl-fipVQa8m/s0/IMG_9121.jpg" title="IMG_9121.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
and then the reunions with the whole gaggle of siblings/aunts&uncles and neices&nephews/cousins was sooo sweet! six of my eight siblings were in arizona for the wedding (we sorely missed my brother that lives in hawaii and my brother that lives in switzerland). a bunch of us rented an airbnb near my sister's house. the girls took morning runs (through the beautiful foliage-y streets of shawni's neighborhood) every morning.<br />
<img alt="IMG 2389" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY8RNgE5TGC-e3jYLQ8qGPjkAuU2YnUMlFAlbSF0JF_GDTR5AfFUG8G_W1bb9uyjmQr3I1sU0miNHa8PtKZgfL4kHWZXUfBIiBOeGjCagXkPdW5PEhxj0h5pH9VzcvhVCKnqX_1OloDoE/s0/IMG_2389.jpg" title="IMG_2389.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9227" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS7feeRTw6OODpf-mFLcbCA-BG0eOyRnTIDQ8Hk6HLI3o5j9TL7enndIV-lH72vHLW6bNPp5PFIw1Gd7ILJ_DTaEP-_cRGQmsfCWu0eKbfoXl9cTbLhkETYpGFeJl7CGfmqFqUnF-KF5_/s0/IMG_9227.jpg" title="IMG_9227.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i became an aunt just days before i turned eleven years old. my sister's first baby's birth sparked a deep love (sometimes bordering on obsession!) for my nieces and nephews. i adooooored that baby - and his siblings and cousins that followed. now that baby boy is <i>married ...</i> i can't believe it! it was so special for me to be able to meet his bride the day before their wedding (i absolutely loved her from the moment we met!) and to witness their sealing and celebrate with them at their reception. i am so excited to see these two grow together. they are an awesome pair.<br />
<br />
the day before the wedding, we had a wedding shower with a big group of family members and friends.<br />
<img alt="IMG 2414" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDS7wZto3mpoxGDOpDe2qaRAjsNAO6FLAkWy1EQra1BVCLrCXnDreRNlpfyLVgj0JtXxAA1AkAchfotO6jbm6DFNLhgozyUak-wa_RQI_kxqOOt_6HUggO7wEE2P4-OKjMZyyxpEUYMdc/s0/IMG_2414.jpg" title="IMG_2414.jpg" width="650" /><br />
here's the bride abby with her mom and almost mom-in-law! and the couple with max's grandmas.<br />
<img alt="IMG 2411" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBExsU6O6_kG-d4sBw0qKHmiwixCUxbPmwZjTPIvST_Ba8puRToS66rkGsdVyyl-xNhmLjbxH7LEc48AuQTaY2uNJsKGOk0ESlP2gceMzBWA0-fyxvoEqnHAZE9Ca1s28GaN9_us5r7ruY/s0/IMG_2411.jpg" title="IMG_2411.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 7129" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XG5PbH8Ztv3AnNMCWdEQXtd14MirRcycG0qWIrUbkAz-eRZ1grBG_1vMTKF1ejG_Is9bxOE3BWIUNx83ANQFn8BMlhwzpqOx8Q1Jc4K3zT7Huk7TWQ6Q1amZ3LazY4_Kh-XrUpRyo1bl/s0/IMG_7129.jpg" title="IMG_7129.jpg" width="323" /><br />
that night we had a really special family dinner, which was so so full of love for these two kids, embarking on a new adventure. love them.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9229" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwe_dBbi7wpKtleeA5qxeNRwdC2vhhz9xSKFt_mdsqCUs2XhUayN0jInErN5D5mUXg41y2167jLAHySY93I5gV8gKTbQSaGqjUK_XurWd0T8hOwVoj7A7PSRlj5QYmP4clVkgGlAP42Wd/s0/IMG_9229.jpg" title="IMG_9229.jpg" width="650" /><br />
my brother happened to catch this shot of max & abby running into the temple - i love it! the sealing was beautiful and happy and then we all waited outside for the new married couple to come out.<br />
<img alt="4b1a4864 fdba 492d 81aa cd35d282ce45" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf-AIQ9NegweGejnPj_rr7wmWnN5VD5oJDNjlIXOWrUNvL2SM8xEqCUrXc8zjntEEMbzb_6hdeYegw_7X7FrW90JjT0a50-i_uhi7M_mYclH8iVSpbUVEoOGXrRmdcnfd-nL30cGlkQfp/s0/4b1a4864-fdba-492d-81aa-cd35d282ce45.jpg" title="4b1a4864-fdba-492d-81aa-cd35d282ce45.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 7068" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydmkLuVozVhL1DijMpDPpOf1BM0TBvTN1pFKGzrKwv9h02A5DxY4ICCl3Qyj6f2GIRDeEBJp9dDCB2ngyfzfi2rcJyuIsHQ0uGBw_Nv8Vce_yWmu0U7oroEhR7oPiIDdmReCm3LsYseP5/s0/IMG_7068.jpg" title="IMG_7068.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9145 1" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFxjRBCqviD5XId-Ka37TzWzVgEvyxg2uqCodeLd0h_mQaeKGXT6M8JZe5w3a7g8NFk_Njy7wFO5T_EzkgTgtbIapCflvZDQ11CRtUEXV_lEH3wr-3EsXOUsyNtpcXGd4lxMYegnoYqOm/s0/IMG_9145+%25281%2529.jpg" title="IMG_9145 (1).jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9232" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA3Cqo5qrvN0HCmIUlWE35bkMNzScODyXaEY_CSYBz3Wykt-7b2k_Hs_al1655aGRAuhM66KvyeU9wgCcXGDo2O06IUsSo1qc1I6F30UwFoVnI9OTNYK7_hA3RlQ3FiQLiKuaYaEqWU45/s0/IMG_9232.jpg" title="IMG_9232.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 0998" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalQE60AcxcWFnHLCPdEtLLnuQXtJLDMnfVAN791-w-wTWVIJaDP5lrORAnMfrUDE5DFRl-c1RnoQ6VIKMA6ZhEe-NjJWXT5fhooRWSMsxJxcYAghNhFOE4TIGSxTepXoMtgiXxHI3O8vq/s0/IMG_0998.jpg" title="IMG_0998.jpg" width="650" /><br />
max & abby's exit from the temple was sooo jubilant! i loved it. the thing i like best about these photos though is the beaming face of my sister, so proud and happy and full of love for her only son and his bride.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9130" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs5t8oX8XiruO1SHC5m4UCWH5gKd6pv3j37mnjEUHz29oUUaih_RFKizmqXEwmMhvg0r6SRYCn1vOxrN5apYjmwg6MQOenBGnNmdd3LSlp15UpEAzmYQyJ4tXEFuIxQrNTYrk1GrOlVVF/s0/IMG_9130.jpg" title="IMG_9130.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9131" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh1mavox42UrBrMXupqtoGfaDTAVcV19eD-hrlw2DYGuJMpcztdMOh_uaJ05thuJQn5rJlnmkfsXs5NT-lIDwK1WSJFjZ83eJbGREEv0bP6AmhMSc5hFQIAK-VkgmlERHpJFBVp7nU7ee/s0/IMG_9131.jpg" title="IMG_9131.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9132" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVkPXu7RFB07RNrgbYW7ZJU3C4d2Xr_kHGEmSIo93KA9uysly3KvE9Bq7dS9vY_VoTjne2xyxxjgbA69G6L1ZXyqlgVBfyi01pjDmtzRjTKhkBfcLU6U6WixyNnMjupotH212jPUviXka/s0/IMG_9132.jpg" title="IMG_9132.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9135" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYH2sMGObWfDSxL2ENmXzrIA2Ams1jyx2O0kUl2CSiEIr6z17F2WxWQFyJmaddh_rA4z1uONio47Y_giNP49oK750cZT7hCN3Z1tYChNz8pFqHc3Y-uAhlkMCwIxt2f0foAhRonDr3aIb/s0/IMG_9135.jpg" title="IMG_9135.jpg" width="323" /><br />
while her daughters snapped a bunch of photos on their phones, haha:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9234" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXhmfbGoS6hVpOw5n1Pwv34O5i369-_dr5F2Jgh1ywO-xyWqI216JN_VO4SFzCKUJbZh8ehD7sVd9i4hxP1MzBGRCwMYrXgcrXKSnClAyIDovaR5XEmqg5ntFeqwZ8OeeI7343q47i3i1/s0/IMG_9234.jpg" title="IMG_9234.jpg" width="650" /><br />
while the bride and groom were taking pictures with different configurations of loved ones, my siblings snagged some family photos. my niece eliza and sister-in-law julie didn't know that burgundy was the wedding colour before the wedding, but they were sure perfectly coordinated, haha! i love all of these people <i>so much</i>.<br />
<img alt="IMG 7103" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-YZyQzW0EuOw2S2KUay0EgENylEL5gpxcL4uZmoDPcvDjbzGEJiU2ehcUkPg229k5ENfPllXlfwcrTnxmGQBNdlWGCD5MPcOtAioEQ7P2Y3_HqSCDmkV9ZIYSEk70gcbBB9HmmUq_R9O/s0/IMG_7103.jpg" title="IMG_7103.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 7104" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtw9a9JIzr6dIwJcE7quX10MgTxs6UUmG3naPjNFt_xkyWw1_09AnEjhDfPoMDzL5os5PQfTtjY9Mb6aox08yGPNbLn07m1YTSg1-wn1xCdjCn_IHDc963ZrbuE48WrmhqJwZQYM-hcau/s0/IMG_7104.jpg" title="IMG_7104.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9152" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGajHe3VZ7KlLwcuA9A604hYSw_LfR2oyXOLaVrD15pdwta-h77TcBy8mLrGpin7mzR8SC0mDCpmdHoCMZPG3S7-BWwpTub-ZnXdn7qhS660ubDwQttbGItbptEde_JYBl1oeIMJx53V2L/s0/IMG_9152.jpg" title="IMG_9152.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 7112" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA94xIjdTFpmKEK7Czw_K1ZqqyEOTzmHpfdBcGWzOfJ6PZ5XhQJDTfaWcMg2FRYxDViNQ4dIQfIZZouesDELjsMbYfh38W3Pibx3L2qQ9jE0H7I0YH2a9PtNRTtHv0Njda7yBkzT5J2_e/s0/IMG_7112.jpg" title="IMG_7112.jpg" width="323" /><br />
this family gained a new member on this day!:<br />
<img alt="IMG 1014" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGAKWJHLXCz8BMNz0BA8D_85MmxlqXGL0nYw1huQY3H-uC4MuKVRPPTYcG1vjwmwvxlxHGSbanbD5LYC2cI8-XgWo8GUjwK8kquxtw93XzhHZR9qIEHf0yDa6rXfC3s6Z9DqkrsB2aARL/s0/IMG_1014.jpg" title="IMG_1014.jpg" width="650" /><br />
and abby gained a loooot of new cousins! ;)<br />
<img alt="IMG 9239" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiCai-R-5YVlRrLVO55ft7Han49c3rXEtrUYRo2Pbou_jVKM4L4yxlrKRjau0NHaxrXcz8zCSILxtWj0zWeOwADqnxgzHeo0qI_NSpCO0IMGMP2GgR2O3DSDeqRTJ6GzHhZbTp-PI66T9/s0/IMG_9239.jpg" title="IMG_9239.jpg" width="650" /><br />
the reception that evening in shawni and dave's back yard was so, so great. the setup was totally magical:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9165" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3hNRfDUrE7JWcnDz_3vWmch0h8q19c19NeKeOC1etttHXFQ9libQUMiBa-nsy7FECrxzE50AvwDi3bRXaElNMAnNxqgVZQvZuZbxqJQlpgrViycnybfErPn6QTcop0hhbLEetyuTHe8c/s0/IMG_9165.jpg" title="IMG_9165.jpg" width="650" /><br />
sky lanterns were set off:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9183" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yKFTqpn3r4AHQlIO3Xi0CxUB24siVjgR_zDju_t24If8w4lWiPMFvMMBwPeqGGHDFrsImN3MehkbmkGHgqkAvTmeLSyhi3EF1eaXRtZXa0CEoo4gkZYX9Ce9VC_MvvB_-gBsTd45nZzG/s0/IMG_9183.jpg" title="IMG_9183.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9194" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uFBwgH4LjNbeeuapXhC9tIMY4_8sQubB14DoZh4pb3bCBULco4qrrDcVYoFY8d1dZzTUYz6UH45B77SxW7h-ZUVy12wricMr7E_Jlf__5whJTbk3X8qo3Hf9LPCTYGzr3NxEtVUo8TQb/s0/IMG_9194.jpg" title="IMG_9194.jpg" width="323" /><br />
and there was <i>a lot</i> of dancing. first these sweet mother/son and daddy/daughter dances:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9198" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofT25MDzrs7UJmt_WS8XjWKVzpu5u5NhrCTjtJh-Hepjavjx58gbGwJGYiy2JFgJV9ObYaHKAqC5p811wtUmws-1TdhB54MsGy5WhkRjNtJqFz9erlzKcCmvfSoZrhwN2DgQjreIlD4NA/s0/IMG_9198.jpg" title="IMG_9198.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9206" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfU5qw8V17fJ2Rwi3ygb6DozQFHfS5A3KUvRpmQBqBfxLMnOzTKqt1exI39R7-f22PCUaKBktl2t7flL1kBveAwkGiD0TfIagKxnoVYOmlFtrtgZ1tO_MDTKIKd__ScfidIaUiVpvSMfq/s0/IMG_9206.jpg" title="IMG_9206.jpg" width="323" /><br />
and then a full-on, super hopping dance party. i had a blast grooving with family members. gabriel slept through the entire reception, which part of me was sad about but more of me was happy about ;) it was so great to just <i>celebrate</i> with most of my best friends in the world.<br />
<br />
gabe and i stayed in arizona for a couple of days after the wedding, because the cheapest flight back to london (we found a crazy good deal) was on the 23rd (overnight, so we arrived home on the morning of christmas eve!). jet lag meant the baby and i had had some really rough nights, but as sleep-deprived as i was, i still sooo enjoyed these days with family. most of my siblings and their families stuck around arizona for a little while before returning to their homes for christmas.<br />
<br />
all the teenage and adult girls went to lunch together. we had all been working on reading the book of mormon by the end of the year together. we shared progress and insights via an email thread and then in arizona were able to be all together to discuss in person!<br />
<img alt="IMG 2465" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6lGJG-ZxBRjXjuT7b1sZ_PKTht-mtchzSs_hfWjpBMrfjiAl2_JEsa4J6L-StI24AsvqQNqEohDBGi6UF2XvKVH12vSUlGeqSFeYHedz07JktQvkHo9qdY2P4Q2KuvTp8PbQIqzbjOgY/s0/IMG_2465.jpg" title="IMG_2465.jpg" width="650" /><br />
we all piled in my sister-in-law kristi's sprinter van and my faithful mom lead our discussion from the front seat on the way to and from the restaurant :)<br />
<img alt="IMG 2470" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljFO7apwp2rWr3M70HNWWKru4bBBecK1NzlHZQalMUQWJg2tRhNO3JeVm4Ar23BIGKA0Asodq3wVo9LJHim8WBfSEWadR2oBU_YKkiVp22OiAAaWO4ZzcKWbm-hDhChtjjf1el6kpvP2T/s0/IMG_2470.jpg" title="IMG_2470.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 2473" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem4uAdwDP7Y9cxnSwKYwAyJoq5HWpNcs08ohcNiMkm0RyHYeZYktPlExWtvChJ3SSyBzoK5PbX45oPTxLSH-e0NojBM7AhyphenhyphenXNf8R8cZg7Vhy8eeQSYTLmMxmOkURtmNS167cUq7SAoq7H/s0/IMG_2473.jpg" title="IMG_2473.jpg" width="650" /><br />
gabriel and his cousin-twin (born five days apart!) etta had some bonding time by shawni's christmas tree...<br />
<img alt="IMG 4888" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnH9A9XDFwi_JwRUk4Co4Qb7jXTBAWq-Q49yNpKmD2Wof1VavF7flzZp_kS_dh0AQRhwsxTScZ5cSA8raKWKqrinMapeHfeqYDMSM2b9Qwp8kh4An9_vnMlQh1GsGJ93EW7a7hhDolrIk/s0/IMG_4888.jpg" title="IMG_4888.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 4890" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8Wgm64nLFYZXYR_gSUiMApYvrrwyPuPOgAzXGatqucsuGXy4Ay0aufN_3UOpXfP8nLBhVM9B5nN062mTc2K4kOuwiFbGfMHf8tCvdGsoS-5jNQ9yLh0WtWxG6C8V0yuv8MOllosiAx_y/s0/IMG_4890.jpg" title="IMG_4890.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 4894" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YjxmHlaBrWaRpZRqr3wtB8zn15PeUNYMf20ngn2h-hqFz7O3157TJxn_L8z-YgJ78jxuwUCxVvLpXBYr0o_x_Jk9DInbXY55qazD4CKrLP7x0m94JpP5PzRZpBE9ZYnD6PjtjZS9qCF7/s0/IMG_4894.jpg" title="IMG_4894.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 4896" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj0v8MGC7qVpW0e4_4OZBxvw_b6rACWk9hKhJPjSO9Xt5ZQ8nb6f9k1M_Z42zQPYGjGZkU_TS_Rth1P_fuJirgiILRbmcry5ZZPQRBgw0nSTAd8wEMDebXhTLOhs-UomrIuRyY5JiIB3A/s0/IMG_4896.jpg" title="IMG_4896.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 4911" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TR1nCSLO8Fby6JM9kEimqKNayyr45mWvhdHMRibNklR56gnU4W2ngPxZpQ3YG54oUh7iR7Hji9_ZDkf_WAzwJi6e76FPPA0dJrxWJa2aW9_1LfEOqsEn2B-ueVvu8TCueduz7ADLcolL/s0/IMG_4911.jpg" title="IMG_4911.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 4912" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN0VtMXIuJEB-hV1sDeLqvsPvx5bzh_jaJfTxyP5l-4CjinG__8m831xEZ51qLT9KC0B5-Pon_x3ja9JnbkvkqRNhpxjt9BTyPTt9Gi1eA8__6O633awoFZApfAgOnbirhkzxmT4_BiWQ/s0/IMG_4912.jpg" title="IMG_4912.jpg" width="323" /><br />
...and that evening all the eyres in arizona gathered for a "jerusalem supper." this is a christmas eve tradition we did growing up - we make middle-eastern food, dress up a little, and pretend we are sharing a meal with mary and joseph just before they leave for their journey to bethlehem. it's kind of a weird but also kind of awesome thing, and it was so fun to do this all together this year! three generations gathered by candlelight reflecting on the birth of jesus.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9244" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLVhWswJalMTAhrLIFx6lh7NRD0iJtw_AAepzwx08dwjRezhUPvkOW7kuBWxNp9Bw5xkF01iYQun5Ca6FGI9_JgGUZYOLJkE9Q0pnAmqmPpYb1f073iJ10T7KEj5jmWscP0jFux7W721w/s0/IMG_9244.jpg" title="IMG_9244.jpg" width="650" /><br />
the lights still up from the wedding reception doubled pretty perfectly as stars in the night sky on the night of jesus's birth, and we did a little nativity storytelling and roleplaying outside.<br />
<img alt="IMG 1065" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQGsA32p4ZUyAgs46DEmQQQwwcFxXVuemhyphenhyphen06bK2JcKFdl3JV0Ze8_Tkj8mPBGckklsEW4LNsqY8UwTTqjP2CZmEnuXbkYn8m38xz0onPhGCxT3wJQclSwVGkPb_jedMSHr-JAqWPy4Vy/s0/IMG_1065.jpg" title="IMG_1065.jpg" width="650" /><br />
something in my soul was so deeply moved and soothed as i knelt on the grass and sang christmas carols that warm night, surrounded by family members. since i haven't been with extended family on christmas for several years, this was just soooo wonderful for me and made my heart to happy. gabriel again slept through all the festivities, haha. missed his chance at being baby jesus ;)<br />
<img alt="IMG 9246" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16xrhSqrdQ-L6h0CYIZmQh1tquzsjI8V5fdwSmeeYU298-Sfn7CPjufm56YkqHbVsRaBZaMaRDWfPCeWFNwJtH4QhuNJO_r0wEdn1Mhv08oJoQeQFo0RlOqXermBAH9nmMuDY2Ywvkfkl/s0/IMG_9246.jpg" title="IMG_9246.jpg" width="650" /><br />
the next morning i sent this picture of gabriel to ian, watched my dad and sister and nieces play some tennis, and checked in on moses via our video monitor a dozen times, missing him like crazy.<br />
<img alt="IMG 9223" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCuP_2Ozmv22W0CoIELkaN_2IWBxrgABAT7TLxNDhM_nasvGaz9sQSoQ9tgbq155XJYBTYSTo33Yapk_I8ke2a0PX0D5GfbGbn2Bob5tvd2IcE093wbU5tWIDwQVR17EELyoGn7_64jn1/s0/IMG_9223.jpg" title="IMG_9223.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9260" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuo9OA6Ry91QRLhr3kHI-oxS8gzWvwgR8OZ1ujYd_bIHfnqR0s1_4nplaQ_kHwE9cZapeMTx0xEpRdS6m-8BaMQPppLbNNygZovk1ZdmnpssD43JXwFBlhDse5Z-oQKKAn-VRY4DXQA4f/s0/IMG_9260.jpg" title="IMG_9260.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9122" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybcl7QdVHXLlzUEQoKIEAXZBM7jeFFHI1wBY9oAdQfQPY30a3zzU-e3Y8UC96hAHxq5YnU3e-wCxYxc5puXCs-YtotIENEHdZuvRQljg26y2v4ENGJQfbkGKodtdelClM3XL1S5EJA9ur/s0/IMG_9122.jpg" title="IMG_9122.jpg" width="650" /><br />
my mom took me to trader joe's to stock up on some goodies (we ended up going to two different trader joe's that weren't particularly close to each other, because the first one we went to was <i>sold out</i> of candy cane joe joe's. what!!!) and gabriel and i spent some time just sitting by the pool soaking in some sun with loved ones before we headed back to amazing but quite dreary (when it comes to the weather!) london.<br />
<img alt="IMG 7132" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8JoEVwioO1nmgp9lie518rk4FVy214W4o1rFm82I9ycjif3FrJ70gtqo8MQNyFXI6pVG7E2qzs24Ol1KlJORCGSW7Y_1mZVsSq8IUBmpSJG8ETIUWvGfaqxsdv0Z9X3soToATuaRpEnA/s0/IMG_7132.jpg" title="IMG_7132.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 7140" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9UteyCmzwL77L5PauvBj6Ssgy2hz54AQDiq3I4eS0UtMrSt_LXc5TGfPPQVXVfTCYYf0mb7PxJnAMqKAhRolbCfbGyyrlvR0oBOXfRT3j_83e4s0QyPQe4dfT6GwJwi1JefpBc105WNZ/s0/IMG_7140.jpg" title="IMG_7140.jpg" width="650" /><br />
gabriel was sad to say goodbye to the pool table at the airbnb, which he randomly <i>loved:</i><br />
<img alt="IMG 9226" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxGgSwdXb3D_Mvr6h2oqA6IsKU5nPtnfph-8SvY_YD5ZMRFZNwdifHC-E8c3ijJt9uD2Eb4rtWKy9ZoPwTk9IWvoFLE0SxXSCIyhRxJFfLCdmOipVxO_vB2GVuf0Nnn9Hoj47rHu24G9x/s0/IMG_9226.jpg" title="IMG_9226.jpg" width="650" /><br />
and had a bit more time chilling by the christmas tree:<br />
<img alt="IMG 9402" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGpCcGZLUd6HUSjvirqsMteMtdzmsMKnESXoGMHyIL-aIKkqosLyaPVLNashGmScE7GjO875ZU5K8ztY29mbGfHqiN9CJOcYTaf75a86qyB4ksqPXdfX0HO23PrBSqYtrWUf8JrOGs2Xc/s0/IMG_9402.jpg" title="IMG_9402.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9395" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LAc5gVUSnyfLYmHsScs3UKYmEDdyqe07ZMBH29i_4KeLn384qpl2OeUqb_S-WvEmVTMTKwMupOGIHCbnhpZGVrLwopGKAZEnz8Ue_A4gWAiRsCrgH9G1eYMtI_ZMFPFLcVuO_69PNnQS/s0/IMG_9395.jpg" title="IMG_9395.jpg" width="323" /><br />
and then it was time to head back across the ocean! gabe slept through a lot of the red eye flight, but only in hour long chunks so i was pretty bleary by the time we touched down at heathrow. we headed straight into christmas eve celebrations at home with moses and daddy!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9454" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtVdn9NTcoS8-QxV9cWKcQq3SaX3N-8dOUMOBBgCqhjpYHULYklE_-7P-PqsjV-lN_zhMTxKac4LTox14BuvKH9oh-g43e8iAvorgYqxghx06D9hTv1-ww6ZnTw5we-1uag0rkLnKvdrL/s0/IMG_9454.jpg" title="IMG_9454.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
pretty much crazy. but worth it.charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-47075985202615203572019-01-04T22:30:00.000+00:002019-01-09T22:32:42.575+00:00final festivities <img alt="IMG 2967" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d3-T7yClXeO1R8Ir7agfNF4eTheek3zGt5vjBD9d2L9ADaKg3K3YgyatijH4v85zSJOgWBsoPAZlIJ8mc6pzxwjEtw1JQ22UnwOGpBA69AWD_A3zBtyLRTFrPI32jYOtAnMEr9LY78J1/s0/IMG_2967.JPG" title="IMG_2967.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<br />i have to say, i did a pretty awesome job getting everything ready for christmas and fitting in all the most important london/family festivities before gabriel and i left for arizona on the 18th of december. in november i carefully scheduled everything in our calendar, bought all gifts, and ordered a big grocery delivery to arrive on the 23rd. and in december, i really tried to relish every christmassy moment in this amazing city and with my three excited boys. this made for a pretty great christmastime.<br />
<br />
in the days before gabriel and i took off across the pond, we...<br />went to see santa!<br />
<img alt="IMG 2916" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G3_7H9UMlwsGyAzoswyuIpOsha3zPm2wG6BqGiZAUHZH06cwdYQpIyZHCvrj4ovuEm_yXXU-RM6fnvo1qDL_nB-NceX5ZbbhauAsfJpdtmJ_YP-t1CasvkWyC3DfyWh80NlTCUH1kf1K/s0/IMG_2916.JPG" title="IMG_2916.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 2925" border="0" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwM58W9dEVkWUSLq-H7kdWlg5rkLcBVSzqvHqFaPp4YtWpfY0YDl7YBD0utf-obHr_ZhKljR0alH-W0umu22Uh_pjr8KBIeOAk6KqrTXX4Ar0nSQMGLC53rkRdxqnpi15xYBrb0rgJJXVm/s0/IMG_2925.JPG" title="IMG_2925.JPG" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 2929" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiIIwvhiJx14LzT3tCJFXxS636uCNoT0GWxebneU5NIFcRXu9HR46eRGfgtDmULwhLuMRDZyhuolsZht_q_xPjA8rSCDOFhCW8p3-jsrILL8LmQCwX5Mvm2JKTQT65bV8ozDqHXEDRGmU/s0/IMG_2929.JPG" title="IMG_2929.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 2931" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirb810bYcA_SGOrHsyTfHDYsZAy5SnxkTt_4qLqdy8nUjEq4IRq9SyJ0qGVUaqi89uoH4E22gFPQ6jQTCd4r85uy8HOmC9C_DKAuf2OCEUaoSrB0PJOHX67FV2y0z96oGrhxPb2og1Buch/s0/IMG_2931.JPG" title="IMG_2931.JPG" width="323" /><br />and finished our all-from-scratch gingerbread house:<br /><img alt="IMG 2958" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHbq1oBIqL5kqhfE5cpqury9B-Mm9qyb3Mr7_2HwI6brX5eLmERgR-D9pNeJn7ZD9x45n7EQfBpYzZ5XRy6lxEkr118Rs-t0MnKshpfqVBZNLnb1kmaBdPvBHzjxsWGiP3XDQhb_GTWe0/s0/IMG_2958.JPG" title="IMG_2958.JPG" width="650" /><br /><i>(it was so fun to really involve moses in this project this year, especially with the decorating. don't you love how he chose to put an elephant in the yard? we are serious this stuff around here - we make our own gingerbread as well as stained glass windows and special drapey snow. this year we used playdough cutters to make heart, bear and star shaped windows.)</i><br /><img alt="IMG 2969" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwGpDi2J9243-RJqNhzky-wmSI7UkwMj7cPeUV_49oFjgQkH8vYrrHXtojpd0owlCTOcxPDxnvVXUKfNi2NGQjUK_xaSJG6niUUt81FUypmm6Q6Ev0AAKgDTCkvEajxOA8IK0IlkWdTiT/s0/IMG_2969.JPG" title="IMG_2969.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 2971" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4qbPLMmAkZyFWGPtE10JKcxvm90_ZSQclk0JQU7uZy9lJKz2Q7956dEg5Xu3q3ecauMBUKSsk9fEzpAfSViA0Z7QoijPsbFBXoDmatIdgCq0flYqT0o1F4Pa8FZXzOvJX3wVkind-AgL/s0/IMG_2971.JPG" title="IMG_2971.JPG" width="323" /><br />and went on our traditional festive date night in mayfair:<br /><img alt="IMG 8931" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBx3YQc0467S7dvIBFVZJxR777f82leffERUI1Phgpx1ELfKRkScPGRcTdivvm8sqgfW7TME6qyXz1q5SqcJ3_ntYn_EP5nXhctxuAsVq_zeSd067OVejrbK3dn-wg3TiFtvGGq7cHv1-/s0/IMG_8931.jpg" title="IMG_8931.jpg" width="650" /><br /><i>(this year we went to dinner at sketch, which is such a funky fun restaurant. the pink dining room is pretty awesome, but the best part is for sure the bathrooms ... which were dressed up for christmas! each of those pods has a toilet as well as speakers playing different types of music in it!)</i><br /><img alt="IMG 8946" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRqOo6xS8517c0SCd895iHDvlcpCj5a-e-ZYepm_EknufWXJi-8Ny3TzIujKPxWy3k_XoypeQ3KnRZPVtfFcpAsERo7i1VeAycBj6t0uyg8-G7ZaP7MBslfs_P2TfwiNthyb2GSEESOZ9/s0/IMG_8946.jpg" title="IMG_8946.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8957" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIWYQJ1LllGZhbo62XqNRJG0Ufj4BfzQ97NUu8dfaC3cepCxtLfcOFs0Dy7333TTXlQrQucdjVdx_jTq3KMh7UGJn6i_dtGBCEBqqnrcvRoBXOMrlxwUOB2OlIYJzNOetcGsSNLbW0-tg/s0/IMG_8957.jpg" title="IMG_8957.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 8941" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehaHDs007QRkjdgzMOiMf4pozNI2OkSwziqNbs81jktWE1cYphrE1S7kifnwam-5YCOCye0I53GjFwXY5B6ISc2GSUx_fWJGaoXzcyGLKriKiKFrJuIhwnWX6Mc98oxOgeKc2oQTiEOWi/s0/IMG_8941.jpg" title="IMG_8941.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8937" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWBQUYkkzny8HEu3eGzYm08lKc6p6XO-mwrPAkV0h_vSOYev1H1oPRU12WfDyP9Z7JDg1SbArTnkufjxAvdghKFzcYI7as_owJgiGrLuYuTd7tzjoayk5rkB7bTmJiQRSgAj1znK65xAS/s0/IMG_8937.jpg" title="IMG_8937.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 8945" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg835nuV7-BCuiJ4anBC52iirieKH0nkZISsfEeEjRTE4sNomgHTRmPK-CMlKQ3rxvLPLVM3g5bVLlhZmK1Z0TINbSnzAfpqV1j2ppIDoo4yv_X_8UDwbVPQkNWRTmLpBqPEugeut5pZdsk/s0/IMG_8945.jpg" title="IMG_8945.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8969" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbk7stp4_OGDQLY_wjOqFvz5z39_m8rz9mjvh4JtLpHT-5X3oTW2-ZZGC0vbq_AtNumOLh-_CUxiLlbfgdkSTORrUhFW7nSWQGr5gwK7f3_OT98CZPNoxIGywV8kjgt7KtS8TCpQnkjFF/s0/IMG_8969.jpg" title="IMG_8969.jpg" width="323" /><br /><i>i love this boy and this city soooo much!</i><br /><img alt="IMG 8991" border="0" height="813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhIIp0SEPi24XM0LOucUamOsZRjGYW_KZriKRuZzLYMOT6durgac4zyoi0RW-Wjp86IWXUsHCGm2V1X-XGZZn5muiUxA5rmEdzv1DOBCiCH60wd2CUPG9X3ZNigReHx2jRikjp7Q6dwGx/s0/IMG_8991.jpg" title="IMG_8991.jpg" width="650" /><br />and enjoyed our decorated flat:<br /><img alt="IMG 9109" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqFe4vw-MJILWHI95rptpZ7Ii8cx6VTZCrGafH5vaTl8ozeYNEagQzPuoRvmOumgLkDqhaKpoEfLNg1ou9voYqM48KWJiyDhIJjVkjAIPXalZYL7ZtyxZxGPdTqLq0tSa_UaYs0axr2aP/s0/IMG_9109.jpg" title="IMG_9109.jpg" width="650" /><br />and also snuck in a visit to the "gingerbread city" exhibition at the v&a!<br /><img alt="IMG 8972" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ4CQuSadvku8oO7w0VhLeFKM6t6sBtMoyuBqxQH48F9hQtzhUhXEFdNO2o4ZExNZdZ-AYcLMkVrPyW-_n7ld73Bvy9mllaZLf6qqek5OghaS5wkde7RNq4aLWx027y-OUPUsPvWnD7m6/s0/IMG_8972.jpg" title="IMG_8972.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8978" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYUE8gDuX8Pa15kklCP8tUV5BmprV6gfw185yaPN1WZ5WWsn1l3UL4i1Tk1WbG3NluQ-2XppEXk2WPtiLule_AsMZ47by2TiuIiFRPyRg_RykOdqHIp6HH7GuVQuzKu-86JZMew1e3B2v/s0/IMG_8978.jpg" title="IMG_8978.jpg" width="323" /><br /><i>this was a bit of a stressful experience because all the amazing creations were displayed </i>right<i> at moses's eye level ... so keeping him from snatching and eating that tempting candy while holding gabriel (no buggies allowed inside) was quite the feat - ha! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
i was feeling a little sad to leave our festive little home (and especially moses and ian!) the night before gabriel and i left for arizona. but also soooo excited to be with family to celebrate my nephew's wedding!<br />
<i><br /></i><img alt="IMG 9112" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRySdsvJFdhRMcmn7etMLqusDyAQIGXzPW-Lfcb3vlv8Sy4BcvHBS-WIWqgLvyLTIHyUMAxoVpR_u0E4ifNUdyKVYnLDgtGhb9BhA8Lj8s1txJyb723mNZUCAY7eijLt0CuVpi3BH5CJS8/s0/IMG_9112.jpg" title="IMG_9112.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9115" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1poTGuip2y2YC3OQPWI0X9nTTwqmm8IvGFbxRp-hVogWqJJb_KxXcQxbIUcHp-dtnHhaMUAtoM553QQvsDWNtl8nwGL8npxQtFMRQSVmz-hfqv9k5OMnGiSA_kFGRKZv1hKrrSnnMw_O/s0/IMG_9115.jpg" title="IMG_9115.jpg" width="323" />charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-14574810605204211392019-01-03T22:10:00.001+00:002019-01-04T18:00:03.089+00:00cold and crowded in cologne <img alt="IMG 9014" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUq4lJXlE9afIZ6kxi4_gp19QLpY_umo6l2ZXXSnby2ZaaaejrlwbyvaFj2uGjbf0mi5hx-0xuCFwwFEozSBuGvaXflIjC1oxzYCRASKAnfsNzFKOeafOl2lR44XAsQ4X0BNKdA3ThAkZ/s0/IMG_9014.jpg" title="IMG_9014.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 2937" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLi_SDlFq_wRlayK9jvpXzMgoIqbF66mVYaVnyAcgw7b6KHM-UD2c5KFW6z5ZgyzNePowpHg2eLqgpMfDLTZZSQY73filJL0c5Hdvl8CvdiLDYug-Or8FY0IfaDEdpxnG7go7yR_MZnYw/s0/IMG_2937.JPG" title="IMG_2937.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<br />
we took a super quick weekend trip to cologne, germany a couple of weeks before christmas.<br />
<br />
to be frank, this trip was the first travel experience i semi-regretted taking. (i hope it will also be the last...?) it was soooo cold and soooo crowded in cologne that weekend, both of our boys had coughs and runny noses, and i was feeling exhausted from an already full december as well as the anticipation of lots of more miles of travel ahead in the weeks following.<br />
<br />
<i>but</i> it was a crazy little adventure we shared as a family. and the cologne christmas markets we had heard a lot about were indeed magical. we turned in early on our one night in germany - we went to our hotel and took long hot showers and cuddled up in the bed and watched a christmas movie. it was a memorable trip in several ways ... and i guess i just can't get myself to really regret it ;)<br />
<br />
here's a few iphone snaps from our freezing thirty six hours in germany...<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 9039" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcLogIi3PGEVYbrFBVIurNyrg9ERimcf_Jrs0bPDIJpc6qCH9PBC72vamOIRluZXJnHUy-lsCIHYBgoG8U7BIiTxa1pAumSYyaxYTLrUcaq7q_q-oSUHqa70eVVFilugR-1ehx4BdmMPo/s0/IMG_9039.jpg" title="IMG_9039.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9085" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQZ1Z7lg5gcwndDPPh9aTUkZyuMVbOA_bCwJoqMh1EtKzIyo1NYOwnV2P6NMMpwWOx5GylP-97QjDu71nHCByJKSi38-0PbBN7eNTI72NefNNkcxwR86V9vCrkwWUlipjdcDt4f_B0WWm/s0/IMG_9085.jpg" title="IMG_9085.jpg" width="323" /><br />
the main christmas market in cologne is set up right in the shadow of cologne cathedral which is <i>arresting</i> ... such a magnificent building!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9012" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnx9snvFqf31LlrQ7zUawqB_2CwU_nvB3XgCtpYPX0RQgbC9hN8iAlGhtzAsN2ymhbCYBiR8AFIHKmH0LN_K_d5qk-0PfFmyjH9_FaGfFUL-iVxZR1yGW4QjVFve1M54qvq-tj0HDBJnK/s0/IMG_9012.jpg" title="IMG_9012.jpg" width="650" /><br />
there are three other big markets around the city, which were basically impossible to navigate a stroller through. seriously sooo crowded. there were so many darling little festive details that i wanted to relish and capture but my full attention was required in keeping track of my family amidst the mobs of people!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9044" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcydyV2bYQ-omxq4iarw21cu8WyN3IKIMDxdFIjDs9XAFORIZlpc6qmxKUAnASgTcPtwPp4AcS28VoofXRhfItPAgNsF_L2whqmICrRNVP8y2nBD1WqwoyyAzziDqIWXRHSRN4G7TEX1f/s0/IMG_9044.jpg" title="IMG_9044.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9081" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7RJdSE907XA8bThZkk4T4WSQdWqrsZOdmD17PlMmaSAZYk2mCbugQv8bD4CdBm1h1WXaBu4TRp_3umqMkUfkSlhUnWq-FRlOY46GZpOHq3bN3UnT7wDb8scMcZLqvW54yhvrO8EVu-of/s0/IMG_9081.jpg" title="IMG_9081.jpg" width="323" /><br />
i don't know if i've just become more a wimp about cold weather, but i was chiiiiillled to the bone in cologne. luckily gabriel had a toasty warm situation, wrapped up in daddy's coat! <img alt="IMG 9050" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR2BXjHcXkJBIiWyiinJAWQEB3UXegOLtj-Y1xTPbiOO7F-UcHN4s1JNCZZ-cy2Se80-VY9atfhKd0wd4-sLNIf-jO0wh03LeCGM7SMrHxuE9dSbP_rFiJF6TWRcu9MADMcBiAbrk4Lit/s0/IMG_9050.jpg" title="IMG_9050.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9074" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmUr8GtCjtlwtknMyQuEg0PJ2wLW4Dx2UX2QVumc1IcsALlnV6E2Tr4alt7_H6ULcrOWtep6CrwyTNccNPOedUaHFwrEkRdwDNck8j9kMBKxJWUjtjEjp8a5Uo4hMBe_UAFhwUDSkZ-WU/s0/IMG_9074.jpg" title="IMG_9074.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9076" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvnOmjlYyzRpJnbF7cPBsL3AX-XCo0WBqGDjO8Qh0_HYQDmVd0rYKjXtMz46Tz0NA44L8IM69XKr2IAifSYpWPYA7opo6RWwrhEH4q8v1TsL3PBOT-Xw-FU0H23oNWxohVj8-sGyxVqNS/s0/IMG_9076.jpg" title="IMG_9076.jpg" width="323" /><br />
moses and i rode the ferris wheel in one of the markets, and it was cool to see things from above. these pictures give you a bit of a sense of the crowds! <img alt="IMG 9077" border="0" height="869" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE5uU5V1pY5i4dlxzWh3-azl6nri92LZzevssQk_nX7rW8gPe1prc_T8Hkl2lbUr1eVW5SVQ2p-FGlc5sDRekNrrOgo_Z0I4iX6LI90cNtGsqBzbugyiIfIc4znydYkSFmAMaGFgqwXzn/s0/IMG_9077.jpg" title="IMG_9077.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 9103" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDPC_acBfUM2MPrAOS9GzGAQhgT9ysWvOqbOnoYQdbQFjafcGKxRvX_cJqLUdWaCEhB8x4ECsUhmhVch52fcJCi8mtSMiTkXMkkfboKcwxhZ211X0hMUMwj6r2Wmhuc1kkGxqvR5xzlaQ/s0/IMG_9103.jpg" title="IMG_9103.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9104" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY91iixgm0xVwlSqObHnsSZ5J-A5f3jPNkPlG5qKE-1twl8QSOyL5DqdzVDskxOkXYYsi8O-C1jW8QEwGjtrNy1B3SUy4jW1d2hj4XnsOiraW6iISMHpkUDkzUyi6PkaQK5Md0Mpjelut6/s0/IMG_9104.jpg" title="IMG_9104.jpg" width="323" /><br />
we went to sunday meetings at a branch of the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints in cologne and afterwards went inside cologne cathedral. this building was built in 1248 - woah!<br />
<img alt="IMG 9093" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJkYN5UQLrVYPBeXufgG7jvyWQHbVe83I6BAjO6GjJrcyeuWL8dJFwTHmpxtZASi5I-KW6vchOLA05mWrjNlQTMsTaPYidPr5xgApyV8kkPR8y5Io40m3FCNwrtR31FkjqAbNT49PPYFr/s0/IMG_9093.jpg" title="IMG_9093.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 9003" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRLagY6Gpdhc_JbEO7yPD5KK0tQ7A68Xk6kTv9SF5jOtintQGyzut9cmmTAQZG45OH1wULB6GGDVmt0RzMIrJ1GMlLZYYWzkfX2X5f_aOKUwHnzzfj-kB1fndY7t31ZeQuBIxAmezY4HQ/s0/IMG_9003.jpg" title="IMG_9003.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
okay, no regrets! cologne was cold and crowded, but also charming and cool.charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-12211942663006288392019-01-02T18:23:00.000+00:002019-01-02T18:25:00.392+00:00hey, 2019!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ6wRyEh-uIBf5jT_lltwClBfkMwFtqKkqAZYJwGq4I0hlKL8DYsam1Rjt98WfCn-t-l-rU59TNsqrkwQ0OnnIuDh6jfyZ2MlB_m7EASZMDX_hF3V-l9GgWl6NlIq5oejlaZv7wD_yXmE/s1600/she-stood-with-her-burdens-placed-beneath-her-feet-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="553" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ6wRyEh-uIBf5jT_lltwClBfkMwFtqKkqAZYJwGq4I0hlKL8DYsam1Rjt98WfCn-t-l-rU59TNsqrkwQ0OnnIuDh6jfyZ2MlB_m7EASZMDX_hF3V-l9GgWl6NlIq5oejlaZv7wD_yXmE/s640/she-stood-with-her-burdens-placed-beneath-her-feet-001.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
all of a sudden, it's an entire new year! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the past few weeks have been super crazy, and i have so much to catch up on here on my blog. but today i decided i need to <i>stop</i> and take some time to reflect on the year passed and the year ahead. i always feel really grateful for new beginnings, and january is always a fantastic opportunity to practice improving.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
here's a few things i hope for in two thousand nineteen:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-my "word" for the year is <i>easy</i>. i want to focus on being more easy-going, being easy to be married to and friends with, and just approaching things with an attitude of <i>easy </i>rather than hard. i'll probably blog more about this another time :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-start every single day with a prayer. before anything else. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-read ten books. i think making time for reading, which i've been sooo bad at the past few years, will improve my life in several different ways. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-run the stockholm marathon (i really just want to finish, but i'd be super pumped if i ran it in less than four hours). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-rebrand my blog!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-actively work to deepen friendships and to consistently serve others in a meaningful way. i plan to check in on this at the end of each week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-strict adherence to this new policy: no phones in the bedroom. this will help me begin and end each day <i>away</i> from a screen! i also recently installed a little bracket that holds my phone right by our front door, and i want to leave it in there at pretty much all times. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-spend one nap time per week working on making family photo books. this was a christmas gift i gave to ian. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
i'm looking forward to this bright new year with fond anticipation like the woman in the painting above ... and anticipate 2019 will look a lot like the painting below (but with little boys instead of little girls!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(artwork by <a href="http://caitlinconnolly.com/">caitlin connolly</a>. every single time i visit her website i am seriously so moved by her work.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y7DnmXJCBCij8UPj-KJX9wftnhQaD2z2Rw3fjpIw-5eoNxQSs-7WHdIYWvG4APH415JMSHVWpfj1chZnkVlQMdZ7YCsWy-Ca_EbpTAWTAdreDH3huRuu6A1Qv-2RiMkQ-MO_adX0NICg/s1600/climbing-mountains-with-children-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="625" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y7DnmXJCBCij8UPj-KJX9wftnhQaD2z2Rw3fjpIw-5eoNxQSs-7WHdIYWvG4APH415JMSHVWpfj1chZnkVlQMdZ7YCsWy-Ca_EbpTAWTAdreDH3huRuu6A1Qv-2RiMkQ-MO_adX0NICg/s640/climbing-mountains-with-children-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i feel so very blessed looking back at 2018, and so very excited looking forward to 2019. i'm glad i get to share every year with these three beloved boys:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGHXliEf3yHooFyO1T3rkU3qyx8JjEn6neMqCyjpgXQJt4haIeUKqHZzYfucX4GdJteK7vLjornNDDkFlk68yY_2_CQA-gxuNRD_Tqgmu_kY069WUPJIiuCtsdQUf6a6AIkp4a4CK29pa/s1600/Wright-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGHXliEf3yHooFyO1T3rkU3qyx8JjEn6neMqCyjpgXQJt4haIeUKqHZzYfucX4GdJteK7vLjornNDDkFlk68yY_2_CQA-gxuNRD_Tqgmu_kY069WUPJIiuCtsdQUf6a6AIkp4a4CK29pa/s640/Wright-2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
happy new year!</div>
<br />charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-67519646978114452202018-12-12T14:20:00.000+00:002018-12-12T14:30:09.736+00:00ten thoughts on a wednesday |47|<img alt="IMG 8846 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV3BRG5jsZ1BDiUl4t6PkMap2a7k3PF9JZlsv97xwzAMJf1v6MAquoG7EKJRhffQ1_VStoww-MNRIC9GHLTUrlcRbaw58z-2jDRPwRoMOv9vIOHXMqjQGiEljBnbTZ4mmDB5ML9_2lXMO/s0/IMG_8846-001.jpg" title="IMG_8846-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8867 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uXTlRIlVicpboxh0qubqJTPN9JcFk8ObTKNxyRo_JZvWOqXs80MnrOoC_IESKL8gp_rFU-cL6Zxp0OlecSNmRkvHT-MWmGk8hS7ZYwL9bJecXAOQAJKw13K57ZbWArFOYNmVIuHaSYS2/s0/IMG_8867-001.jpg" title="IMG_8867-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8850 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pqkiSS6cmzRDIh8N3ulRtoJHe2rjQU83WCFK6GYri7PPNKD9RXjqV5JfJiIE7GBiARUs-rSzKML70QLwXepO2oci3QiuVBsxBIBmfu3BLOBa75bDnDnXg6LmhWowTYbhSUNfZLyZC2B7/s0/IMG_8850-001.jpg" title="IMG_8850-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8888 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSFgkjrmAFxB3nbV5c_uL9LDI0unoHr86E0NB1C7C5avved2xYmnDW3dSa3I-gCHayr1h5CAXSadPiFoTn926DoARENm4DOQKXHSFrx_YvgT0ix7zl1MN6BYp0oOxg0UY0SFqDHz6eMBX/s0/IMG_8888-001.jpg" title="IMG_8888-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
one.<br />
the rest of this month is going to be so wild. this weekend we are headed to germany. the day after we get back gabriel and i are taking off for arizona, and we get back on christmas eve! then, on the 28th, we all go to rome for a few days, where we will welcome in 2019! phew! i'm bracing myself for craziness - i've found that if my expectations are held really low, i'm really happy with the way things actually pan out. so i'm telling myself the jet lag will be absolutely terrible, i'll be exhausted to the bone, and christmas will be totally chaotic. ha! it will all be an adventure and i'm so grateful for a life that is so full.<br />
<br />
two.<br />
the other day, we bought a video monitor to put in the boys' bedroom. we've long wanted one, but have just been too cheap to buy one, thinking they were all at least a couple hundred bucks. then we found one on amazon with perfect reviews that was thirty pounds! and it is life changing...should have done that a lot sooner! we got it almost entirely for entertainment value, and that is certainly paying off. it is so fun to spy on the boys (we even get to do that remotely - me from the gym in the mornings and ian from work during nap times!). moses cracks us up with his in-crib antics. and it melts our hearts to watch our little sons sleep.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8815 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79_6qn5oMRlZx0g_ehbpYDFDxIy6q6DVqTk8kwl6MEcvJCk6MciQ85U9yEQRtxwJSUSZfbjPMJuIjwNw8blP8NNcXg_yM6lqGRkAOuihCYGSATlb6SJ9Bb-y6_n7P31M2wWRPG_9ziKrq/s0/IMG_8815-001.jpg" title="IMG_8815-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8884 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYy8Ws8TslTIR7_tEj9d73SXtBbVzd18S0SZCJ_wUOgaaNoZ6SZbfH1ta7PqRNnszkmGvfTOzM43LFyHu13YMJ7Jz9vHTA6sWuAkeB09Ve5JH8Ya1YlSjmPHteIwfSF6yg9GWjNsNl6Hd/s0/IMG_8884-001.jpg" title="IMG_8884-001.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8843 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgTsrD0LBqXfi1CIQfXOzoCtaC1yL4b8uXTrIDQ3CtRZNFJTTOaI6GNTanL2P68anZrgxt0vN_IrkdUM8FysgmRev6N2_2beXwwzaHOcPtEy8KG5ZtQ5zb0cZLaqvfcVO6ijMrm55Z0-J/s0/IMG_8843-001.jpg" title="IMG_8843-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8865 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ndIHP1ADUwv8imKgEX6QGDNX3Wtwk-T3i5SIyX9mVxazbfqqCGi5GYv_64cYxtmVWEAnsbyj3mma27zU_7bA5z9gNu_MPsFj7ycErxRxzXV2V7-CqdrMxlrqxwIg0b6yh7sLDMrRkX_/s0/IMG_8865-001.jpg" title="IMG_8865-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^ ice skating date night at the magical natural history museum rink // popping by winter wonderland one cold morning! ^^</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
three.<br />
last weekend, my brother tal and his daughter came to visit! they take an annual daddy-daughter trip to london each december and that has been a highlight of our year the past three years! i didn't get many pictures this time around, but we definitely had some fun times. moses <i>loves</i> his cousin <i>so so much</i>. he was soooo excited to have her around and play with her and give her hugs and talk with her. mo got to have his uncle and cousin with him (along with mom, dad, and baby brother!) for his very first experience in a movie theatre. we went to see the grinch and everyone loved it. i wasn't sure if moses would sit through it (he's never watched a whole movie), but he did great, and so did gabriel! we also took our visitors to winter wonderland, a huge christmas fair in hyde park. we sure love our swiss family!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8822 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOWhzWmXQ9tOViXBXcL-JI3bVPo3AY2-RxnPcMHKCK9nh30Q12e4iwrRVfU5Wf7wlxcA4mASzWEDFI8iY64eB9UcD3QAAi03a3x2zJYieGSylBtaGORvkvwLLtJr8HhUdvesR6HF89K-H/s0/IMG_8822-001.jpg" title="IMG_8822-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8831 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEc-yj-j-IVpHJirIxzE1zGUj_SVvGn5L7W15hz0VDBgRx9La4RHjX0jGZMfcuSKRnLqJIAAPWOkDKiTF7y8qgWC18tY1pNpVws8o8suASgPycr9_Ls5z9NKBmAUjxerYq0bplQ592vaC/s0/IMG_8831-001.jpg" title="IMG_8831-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8828 001" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDqT9EWHeFxQz4ok_nb-F7kQeuYljLjIlM5Ua19mAbwJlMDPXBOsL_E-U4a3lHvzBsOE8YcaM-hsxkuz7-aSY8zC1nnTPayBtIeYxZolXPOrb-N2WGXeoT96plWdcrzY4cTerX43SidgA/s0/IMG_8828-001.jpg" title="IMG_8828-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8825 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdomtqh9FGbg1G7gEHdpsgNGMPX3oFdaw9VBDLeHsvUwlfDZ5uyacF-Q0nKbDv43oFBp_LNmd5_36oe-6yyjl4KGFvJc0F8xEfL3cR2J3ySGyeoqpCYUfYkqS4En5cANK9i54vQmWQngha/s0/IMG_8825-001.jpg" title="IMG_8825-001.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="69b8afac f4e1 46ef 985c 95d6899fdd12" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokM54BWg8OpUzdQMgtvEN9kbKW6P1Qt79E9Pt8dYToPbpeSaPO2A71GyUsTDGUzNW1RDJleGj9ESZWzCRCEOMtICjFU7z3JXFxr4sJf5jjVuEKjHiYMI5vb4o-V2g0XumnffXxZRPPVRS/s0/69b8afac-f4e1-46ef-985c-95d6899fdd12.JPG" title="69b8afac-f4e1-46ef-985c-95d6899fdd12.JPG" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 6388" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiti-N0IabSKuo5wfPm9mN6NWLst2iQMsKYOLP9wKfRMo-gBmR_BdEhussvxwOfXdiXNGE8xPoP-1O-vr3D1GfEXglLXbzEBu2pIjgBI6apNwOWZIOK8B8tE_8DKGufPa71fRStB1UgeA/s0/IMG_6388.JPG" title="IMG_6388.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^ i couldn't decide which of these two photos to put in this post, so i put both because i love them so much. mo showed some pretty wild joy being able to give his cousin a high five while riding in a blue car on a carousel ride! ^^</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
four.<br />
ian gave me a three-month membership to a really nice gym near our flat as an early christmas present, and i have been looooving going there. my quality of life goes up so much when i am really taking great care of my body. this gym has tons of classes and i enjoy going to them so much. i recently went to an "anti-gravity" yoga class, which was such a fun mental and physical challenge. when i push myself with exercise, i practice the skill of pushing myself to be better in all aspects of life.<br />
<br />
five.<br />
i have to share how much i love, love, love <a href="https://valuesparenting.com/joy-school/">joy school</a>. i am sooo glad that a group of mom friends wanted to start this co-op group here in london. moses is learning so much about being a good friend and a good human, and about noticing and choosing wonder and happiness. i know i am a little biased (my parents started joy school nearly forty years ago), but this program is seriously so, so wonderful - more than i realized before i started doing it myself with my own child. it has been amazing to watch mo and his friends learn how to sit still, listen, follow instructions, and work cooperatively. i love having his pals over to our home when it's our turn to host and my turn to teach. and i love having a couple of hours toddler-free when another mom is teaching! it's just all so awesome.<br />last month, on our tube ride home from the airport after visiting switzerland, moses started singing "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj4DSFGmjwA">oh boy, i've got joy</a>." he sang every single word perfectly, including the whispered "oh boy" at the end. i don't know if my heart has ever shined with delight more than listening to him sing that!<br />
this month, joy school lessons are focused on service and giving, which is sooo great when our kids are getting bombarded with messages about <i>getting</i> presents during the holidays.<br />
here's a few photos moms in our joy school group have shared over the past couple of months:<br />
<br />
<img alt="053101c4 eba4 4e81 8e7b 326d794ee40d" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mYLKJDJAuG6MBuOGEzbBISav51IF01Zx7ziy5OaJ3G0bunSYobkUAHjfQVhpx9Nu4eNg8OxF5vkN2SKL4JuELZXK_O-DDMLXTiVrAFjy9thLVRoS0tfvR_J0kLvK2p_WCWcpmh9-FkKL/s0/053101c4-eba4-4e81-8e7b-326d794ee40d.JPG" title="053101c4-eba4-4e81-8e7b-326d794ee40d.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="13360bca 9019 434f b7ce df0cd59b6c4c" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7bviiDkRDIQIJGOJ174QYvvFlXNXvrdB9c-XN-3PEgF15yc-BzsiILazx7HGLXCZjp2CV7Tg8fYfgF15Wn6eVmc6KP7pb-0dXYz9OEcZaV7NyliLfxeXcqXRYO5c_BA_-jlt95wzOTrb/s0/13360bca-9019-434f-b7ce-df0cd59b6c4c.JPG" title="13360bca-9019-434f-b7ce-df0cd59b6c4c.JPG" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="71af604d aa1a 457c a317 0babc20289b7" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX_uZhxTAYK-sqVgWegRhwDzXd3V0zhPcBNACBo43mqK0vNpwX8sn_lwSt3W7Z1PYiLPYnUBW6Ogi6sECpoPRVDRsMtbSpzc5_KFhLLy4K6rk-hznDfuaXqSMhxkrufb7MKAQAlUjV-js/s0/71af604d-aa1a-457c-a317-0babc20289b7.JPG" title="71af604d-aa1a-457c-a317-0babc20289b7.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="32e1884e 0439 4cd2 b9d7 3ac7c1f1e282" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_5J5dMLLVTvrdfmWwADy6Ki3Wv9JwwXX1k_ve1N5wtsQGmlsjaxY4Fbix-FWb-vWR9J6cca2B1q9XYfGkWbBD6Db4Ulhun_lGkpT3nRHqCPTqt5n8yqOkmF4UolWQRQxtV15vV-MitIz/s0/32e1884e-0439-4cd2-b9d7-3ac7c1f1e282.JPG" title="32e1884e-0439-4cd2-b9d7-3ac7c1f1e282.JPG" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="6c13ea8f c30d 41e9 b89c f2d8061c4314" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bS2HLlnoiNYJVUslARGnmw5rjUIZ32fOtvbV_Ep96vPwkpiFFy0ipUflRHfI6XNpS2aYfE7UKL0Za9qnx25HBg6AZV-1NXk-CBUEqgZkaBelTqu6ALeDU_SdjuxJ2PcWPgj_aLCTBICR/s0/6c13ea8f-c30d-41e9-b89c-f2d8061c4314.JPG" title="6c13ea8f-c30d-41e9-b89c-f2d8061c4314.JPG" width="323" /> <img alt="3686d7c7 9d97 4d39 9c39 b932c4db06d3" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBT6xy8gzHKPqkCC2kfYtvSWpRk4ZerZ1nYauXnedEjlV8qjk1iSQKwd6dTRJQ9qDVKMV6EXOROVP2Degg9nt66eAaCbPB6TxtgoJvB_CQjPpdOTscAi2qMITaj8t4c_PfC7xSJKAkbJC/s0/3686d7c7-9d97-4d39-9c39-b932c4db06d3.JPG" title="3686d7c7-9d97-4d39-9c39-b932c4db06d3.JPG" width="323" /><br />
<br />
six.<br />
i think, for me, caring for two small children 24/7 has gotten harder rather than easier over time - ha! as gabriel has become more mobile and has regressed in his night sleeping, and as moses has gotten more opinionated (read: defiant :) ), i have felt stretched preeeeetty thin some days. parenting is such an amazing tutor of patience and resilience. it is incredible how, even when i feel pushed totally past my capacity, the pure love i have for these two boys carries me. (i love <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq-R0wehCvG/">this new sketch </a>by my dear friend and favourite artist, caitlin connolly, that suggests god multiplies our abilities in parenting as he multiplied loaves and fishes to feed a crowd listening to jesus.) it seriously feels crazy how much i love my boys.<br />
<br />
seven.<br />
a few tidbits about moses at twenty nine months old:<br />
-he's <i>obsessed</i> with the colour blue. i've never met a child so infatuated with a colour. he is constantly saying "<i>i looooove blue!</i>" and is very intense about getting the blue sticker/paper/toy/etc.<br />
-he is also obsessed with animals. he notices animals any and everywhere. if there are animal toys anywhere he goes, he will carefully line them up. he knows the names of probably at least one hundred different animals. his favourites are still elephants and giraffes.<br />
-he has become very inquisitive. his most common questions are: "where am i goin'?" (when we are on our way somewhere) "what's in it?" (whenever he's eating food) and "what's their name?" (whenever we interact with a stranger or just talk about an unnamed person).<br />
-he's psyched about all things christmas. he asked santa for "trains and train tracks." he loves to hear the nativity story over and over.<br />
-speaking of repeated stories, i think i have told the story of jack and the beanstalk over one hundred times to moses. he doesn't ever get sick of it. (i definitely do.)<br />
-he recently discovered emojis and loves sending messages with animals to his loved ones (see screenshots below of texts sent to grandpa wright ;) ).<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8874 001" border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHHBaXvhWA-dWhhKDTlyLzwh5IBH5GokfULPvXrgV4_ijBXuP_haJZCfXJwqKxMn_9Vr3RbjZrmVQF6cwxtBZPrYdEZ3gqM3xIMcA62c2fXQn248mNUik1rY9H7yObIu6SjUlz8AtFS1s/s0/IMG_8874-001.jpg" title="IMG_8874-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8875 001" border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkmr0EKh0Ysx2qHtt4ETr-llbAjj6FYCvFZbPk7L0lsgw-lwqvz0L2sIatzGmKltfotFNNGwLoHmP3_tOmFoV3BJCDUV56WDQLd5nIyGkPj7lf0KYR3rJBHLCuKLTxUzBkWhkJAumoyXi/s0/IMG_8875-001.jpg" title="IMG_8875-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
eight.<br />
a few tidbits about gabriel at nearly eight months old:<br />
-he has loved every single food we've offered to him, and he eats <i>a lot</i>. we don't know where it all goes! he's our tiny boy.<br />
-he loves watching his brother and is often cracking up over things that moses does. he continues to be <i>such</i> a smiley <i>and </i>giggly baby.<br />
-he's just started saying distinct syllables like "ba ba ba."<br />
-when he needs a cuddle and/or is settling down to sleep, he loves to touch my face - grabbing my nose and lips and eyes. it's more fun for him than for me ;)<br />
-he's sitting up on his own so well but hasn't shown much interest in or progress with crawling. mo was a late crawler and walker - we'll see what gabey does!<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8856 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkUkXYwQ53MqviF5hRioSpmC5_OYGzoYFEnQw0gZSKmuL0PIlIdcV7aEWRFadSVaZak93fY8VFxCJH-ECUgW8fDsAye3D6x1EZRs5sQLpWfO42u5ou33NidwZz4TImbcmdJusEdU4ay8T/s0/IMG_8856-001.jpg" title="IMG_8856-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8857 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R-ga9z7lCTJNcBfFokFfj1htehmg7HdpiLWktwcuVEcUA_uRVVlGLSWl3XLEfG5AxRv2oSytRcPiJqC1UkiYHHIIxdNgGBO-AOzPpzNmgWeuffzpaNkti8lEiQ4mRPytIWgmcUQzQtFr/s0/IMG_8857-001.jpg" title="IMG_8857-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
nine.<br />
i have been reading the book of mormon a lot lately in an effort to finish the book by the end of the year. i think this will be my twentieth time reading it! i'm always amazed that i gain new, truly powerful insights - that genuinely help me in lots of different ways - each and every time i read that book.<br />
<br />
ten.<br />
moses has gotten a tad bit santa-crazed, so we've been talking a lot about baby jesus over the past couple of weeks. the christmas story means so much more to me now, having given birth, than it has in the past. in part because i realize that mary was <i>incredible</i> for giving birth in a (probably smelly and not very comfortable) stable...! i love that all the wonder and magic and light and joy and peace of christmas comes from a tiny little baby born in such a humble place.<br />
i really like this thought, written by dennis rasmussen:<br />
<i>in the vision of a king born in a stable, attend by the animals and visited by the shepherds, i am led to the ever startling paradoxes that are the essence of the gospel: out of weakness comes strength; out of simplicity, profundity; out of humility, dignity; out of humanity, divinity. i am freed from the judgments and vanities of the world. i see the wisdom of its wise men perish before a deeper truth as three gifts are laid and human wisdom kneels before a little child. </i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
happy wednesday! isn't life beautiful?!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-91880554042292080682018-12-11T15:56:00.000+00:002018-12-12T10:28:42.464+00:00christmas traditions<img alt="IMG 8482" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w_SHVgITpYhwEu91_lctsUUBF9CwlO4vhRPtixVL2o4Q7sSrVpElg_n7_LIg4hmCBIL66sS-8Uxk1KdHclhw1RmsYgvhJ1dgzLICYn0HPalTUu-3j3-XCBvnEPINOYGH3xATDeBcddmc/s0/IMG_8482.jpg" title="IMG_8482.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8476" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaR4BchCz8HG1reJzvvlTqXtNRC8S10T2ncr_aMhXOc2xRCc2F5MjspYQr4fM0yD0yf6UxhNodw63dRXsgI-lZOFgPya2yQQXkX4Uq2hpXEahFHminw8NLTMdAIZMqw11qCKl5cMjIsX2/s0/IMG_8476.jpg" title="IMG_8476.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8497" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXmk2yEcRK0M1Fsv9CqTMlAI9DGh0g1_Xw9Q558q5No-bUAofuNVKoUYecQFt_1jRqw2o_ulk-OLRcFBtHDdvIWpryT1aDY7DHsWyOAKGbdG7VqS_1i0awRVgZ1AM8y7lQonwUD-igaFf/s0/IMG_8497.jpg" title="IMG_8497.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8384" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY8aVKbUABIBzyuHZ_kM0HTvNsNt9WyVWynQ0qbfRhefRcu0N3GXlp78vIqWKbtGZTstYe3lyZy2zi0TB8ebju7U3bvzVitunutPSx5C1vOi2D5_dmC6PgXJXr24SkmqBE459za3Mq2WY/s0/IMG_8384.jpg" title="IMG_8384.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8389" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgt6w871fjn-Hc2IbI6qiEq7EwgPZ7LY385TN9vnXrSdBFbpT50CjU1hXH5NP2_f23XQ-jhqnOklzl5ReYiHZceJnVfE_sJNYwVLhJ4wnfVwS_C-_Lvj-qk5gEKbrkIIRhTthzeZuBEzo/s0/IMG_8389.jpg" title="IMG_8389.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i am grateful that christmas comes every single year. each december i get some stress bubbling up in my gut as i think about alllll the fun and festive and special things i want to experience and share during the holiday season. and then i remember there really always is next year.<br />
<br />
there's such an abundance of worthwhile and wonderful things to do this time of year, and my intense love for christmas along with my stalwart loyalty to traditions makes the holiday season full to overflowing. this year (mostly because of my travel to the states right before the big day) i've forced myself to pare down and simplify and cut out. and just look forward to many more christmases to come! i have a feeling that with our kids growing up, it's only going to get better in the future.<br />
<br />
today i wanted to share some photos i've snapped of spectacular london christmastime and a list of christmas traditions that we usually observe and totally love. some i've made sure to make happen no matter what, and some i've chosen to forgo this year with excited anticipation for next year. ian and i are excited to continue to let our family traditions evolve as our family grows up.<br />
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8508" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvMEBJ6IwFVo0yKuqD4xC4Ubfb9BC_KCFuL3jCL81HmuNwAKiHZNyXDNROaXlyRE3s27c6-dNEKpP0qLYK6yOw2z-0iqiHwMLZiOX2gF-7Kaet1zAYHpUFmfkzcjrqaNggNwurD-o4Ygv/s0/IMG_8508.jpg" title="IMG_8508.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8529" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj-nH4nJ6lXQiZ0YifkaPiBSMj16vlQBTDfdzsqM1zogO0vtVJ_DyMgtUzk_QiCzZlRVfu69j4AaVgXjYWs7RwiyDtKtQALJf6r4XJTpYeg7bWdDF0_o98m68SavFOElHrPtfnp6tKe6B/s0/IMG_8529.jpg" title="IMG_8529.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8533" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU0CiKKLNt6w1307jc9ncDdSGq6_I10QmDVE7Gwv0mfgGzB-uuWxIWZ_HfmG-Zd3GgipXBk2nRH09ulhVNOxe08NJwAnLvd4K2TelQL6l_Sj11qhaf0c3hHSoE3D056QdzW-rO9otNezb/s0/IMG_8533.jpg" title="IMG_8533.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8542" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnAIq78LS4vJg0dwH6EfLe5NEQ7iWMMqIlepnBzyn0D1cR62Whf46DGT4QSx_TZCGZlu-b4FRWULQkkhNbWHNdnaASU1Jj3AnosZNt8zADfH_ewmj_cszJoRaINGTeyyHWh5MpFALoXVb/s0/IMG_8542.jpg" title="IMG_8542.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8558" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWMDoGGN8G6zsfIMXwbw-CX-IG9AEMZAbemG6S_jpVWOBi8Kj_W0Vmp1uBxjoGoxe7lvdg7h4gzDo2hNgUck0i_jNtuHWkZHxWzzcim4CzF_KRO-Yio_k8VkjXaQT6kJjyLci2I4pa_af/s0/IMG_8558.jpg" title="IMG_8558.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
traditions i just could not pass up doing this year...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>pick out our own, real live christmas tree, string white lights up and down each bow, and decorate with ornaments handed down from both my and ian's childhoods</li>
<li>make a gingerbread house from scratch (this is one ian had growing up that we've adopted in our own family)</li>
<li>new christmas pajamas for the kids - this year we decided we are going to give them as gifts on december first</li>
<li>fill in our advent calendar with a new ornament opened each day (ian's mom made us an exact replica of the one he and his siblings loved growing up!)</li>
<li>visit santa! (growing up we wrote letters to santa and santa always responded. i'm excited to do this with my kids probably starting next year - when moses <i>really</i> understands. this was a great learning experience for me as a child - we were encouraged to <i>not</i> just tell santa what we wanted for christmas, but rather to ask him questions about life at the north pole and offer profuse gratitude for all the wonderful things he had brought us in the past!)</li>
<li>have a breakfast-food celebration for <a href="http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2013/09/saint-lucia.html">saint lucia day</a> on 13 december</li>
<li>go on a date night to a festive dinner and to see light displays</li>
<li>send christmas cards</li>
<li>host a white elephant gift exchange party (this year we did this with ian's coworkers)</li>
<li>do a family service project</li>
<li>donate money we have saved up/earmarked throughout the year to a worthwhile cause that we have taken the time to really learn about</li>
<li>take a trip to a festive location (our first year in london we did a big german christmas markets road trip, the next year we went to copenhagen, last year we went to brussels/belgium, and this year we are going to cologne, germany. next year we plan to stay in england and visit a bunch of national trust sites!)<br /><br />on christmas eve: </li>
<li>have a "jerusalem supper" - we eat middle eastern food by candlelight and talk about what the last meal that mary and joseph had before they headed off to bethlehem must have been like (my family did this growing up, but we also dressed up and "went into character" - someone was mary, joseph, elizabeth, zacharias, a shepherd friend, etc etc.). we usually invite friends that otherwise may be lonely on christmas eve to join us in our home for this meal. </li>
<li>light our german nativity pyramid, read luke 2 and sing carols ("away in a manger" and "in a little stable")</li>
<li>leave out cookies for santa and carrots for his reindeer!<br /><br />on christmas day:</li>
<li>open stockings in bedrooms first thing (santa brings stuffed stockings into bedrooms in our family)</li>
<li>open presents and don't clean up the wrapping paper until the afternoon (there's just something so happy about that mess!) </li>
<li>have eggs benedict and orange juice for breakfast</li>
<li>go to a church service (we like to visit a different church every year. since moving to london we have been wowed by services at st. martin's in the field, westminister abbey, and st. paul's cathedral. this year we will go to a local church in our neighborhood.)</li>
<li>go on a bike ride</li>
<li>have pizza for lunch/dinner (those meals kind of bleed together on christmas!) </li>
<li>make and enjoy a birthday cake after singing happy birthday to jesus! :) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8545" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM8rhfYglXCIPn5tsdcqEP9Mzy8GJpkfjadb4iSta3JITH8ocMcmehg7qnJAEBKz90qNg9OT8d5fzOyzKbrDDIMui4bQEm7tFSqC2dXvU1fBO1cQ6EEvybP3NE2ed1QmMn33vUoABUQVI/s0/IMG_8545.jpg" title="IMG_8545.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8395" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDUurg4KbDdxpnJWtsZf3KMRURppVW-M-J4gnogiJtcN3G7mFVrC7ZvkfX_K2GlHVB5usX6W2QRel9k-4nWIjOa6bizYAhxcLw-OatLfDeT9JA4DvJDBBoLSrYyiFP5DdRK5dSjSfRP87/s0/IMG_8395.jpg" title="IMG_8395.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8459" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2enTvODZbqiYBeD227JqCtjBehYdbXVZ9baXKgGgjXZFSuLGgfNWkneiQye0gPHCuoOmUHtZhl2bpYaPDn4Rul0XcLysSj2mgEmHbrCBbYr_S7uCAdulQA-nBoBDmZFOET76xuhw7IaZW/s0/IMG_8459.jpg" title="IMG_8459.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8397" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkE1C8v2uGFYJigdkvCLDHitBOU9xCgWZH6jJmg-rwaeZUTtZenK5SLsEl3VTC_zqBOGhTrErtfL1nUjX61fHhxqzLPXITCybpsAjw2BNDHe-8YH_K29QNXRtSnOCa0A0c3vBw-KdYHPg/s0/IMG_8397.jpg" title="IMG_8397.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8435" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ2M4G3EFxtJqyh6PMqYU3WS1OafFcXOOQQ_8m3PCGzRcrTlIF6NIBc7U7PAXObZOBHM5XC1CJcJ3daM2jFu32yLyqJLx0QMAimdoKSrR9y78qbHwZhdjzHBtPYyKObcrzFibhoZE5eyE/s0/IMG_8435.jpg" title="IMG_8435.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8405" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fUpwE2HJIJuad7Tn5iATqpmb8pMg4ZH-_Pee-fyzdB7bcJOWd0cyWebqqKbhOs7Z8pT3LF74hjqMX6wikKvVtSI6CUsohecUpCTnhjf2oWeOqoT5DO-daVV6f3p6Y9ktRWhyphenhyphenVxC92fBI/s0/IMG_8405.jpg" title="IMG_8405.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8470" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJEUSoejQ7y3rE0iPhquuZWEoLmqeF_R1Eh_BV6PtgGw5VqI27U32zHacZRKpnM-mOkLdMuB1r0Xs1TN7tvgLcdURpl-hXBwKN-5dMi-VaN8JKFiq1yMEUJ9QHoVZ0tdG1XzKgGkePHEB/s0/IMG_8470.jpg" title="IMG_8470.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8418" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhYKlOBcwvE_mO-3QJ19Jvy6Bb3NakvHfH7ASowno6alcHOhIAijTngPQDoAgyAQ86R5g0bwOdMCHsTII1rGQv1eoSjU_NbtAnFnWQ1kBeFQnsrN7d-u_nbLVVO0EQZ-5AQXFF_d0PI9O/s0/IMG_8418.jpg" title="IMG_8418.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8464" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo9fLF-INY3YNdmS6KgfppA2VE6YdEoPIZ7HCjZzCUM5zFZymjSzV9zyehNyvwKwZkfrvgfDZsXZhlZ_ytPK2wViA3B4nUG2rSElol1nHdSXc5ln6yD_gi65RQMFSJNVk9GUVNCKjfKIw/s0/IMG_8464.jpg" title="IMG_8464.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8473" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclHS7oklNSmJAP3zgJEbKMasbYHlghE18fwdnVlCj5MMUzc-I4szempOxyOyDPX1tr5HwX793SyrjDn1HvyjtoWsKBSkCOxXdXHXVgUgqgZWe-40H8HbaQLaNl8Flu4qmQUv_9HpP_Qe8/s0/IMG_8473.jpg" title="IMG_8473.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8537" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyCx7fbNmPwivyqoRG1ULh1oQsZyRrbGKuCZgkyYg35wpBYU78BGdPyhf32yNEzAEdj2RaK9PnhL66-K3zLfr5LN_jrREemMJX_l3Ae1jeNcGub712hUC56S1S9me41hqnVigTYVpF6lM/s0/IMG_8537.jpg" title="IMG_8537.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
traditions we do pretty much every year but are passing on this year...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>go to the nutcracker</li>
<li>make a yule log for christmas eve desert (<a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/1155824/chocolate-and-nut-yule-log">here</a>'s the recipe i use)</li>
<li>visit a fun light display event (we have done christmas at kew and the chiswick magical lantern festival in the past)</li>
<li>make and deliver cookies to our neighbors </li>
<li>have friends (usually the primary children in our ward!) over for a sugar cookie decorating party</li>
<li>participate in the live nativity at the hyde park chapel visitors' centre</li>
</ul>
<br />
<img alt="IMG 8554" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U41ceSdM6qiOEyhwG0Cw5IUB6d_sKiISFqhTbRARX2C7pBCyorUIA3Qkw_mskGe-cKsUMVa8oT1cIrHCFooBPr4deoxWz1-ZIe1k1CUCy0ymtLXRj2vd-RTVOZWCQ_J7CTnW5XYUnmF9/s0/IMG_8554.jpg" title="IMG_8554.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8616" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys0nadYQckxACAHpe1sQcKogC4EO1mMa2Fs-0VEPHnQz6sXDaHXZSqae0SVI9e5nrajKOxNCvpjImedq9Qyp9jZofzqui0YiVwzXcr4jsCMIaAb4zcNC3ziBmC6wW1cp0VlXOoWs4VOjC/s0/IMG_8616.jpg" title="IMG_8616.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8586" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfQx1glzBpoiYzMn_avVVJjxIf9kVUM8dbObmsLlIuqkaxxh0EExrTPDjiV4EcyaWmAJJioZeRWxtzX-jGfAU-uNyX3RCa11ou66CsZhPNd5PiKhu8tZaGj9SgTOQhyrRg2mhdUrcTTCb/s0/IMG_8586.jpg" title="IMG_8586.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8745" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtA9KMGF_ge7UPnOtRiJGF4eUxGXooGCTKEDmgZc601GmO1jSN11qyA1NPdcDb_c0sGGyK4pfpk5_jt4bNiw1xcTrnetOlPBELyGw5kbVSTRQ1VyK1i3hctuvQhtJIy22ucfEz2RfCvLu/s0/IMG_8745.jpg" title="IMG_8745.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8564" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRVS-0z0OfLP2QEMAaohz1JcnImoQeayihazKddVq-YrwKBHuEHzXd3BiSN-koM5hPBZbvp8KEhZ1siNVQkD2rpqhwZ1nXBkXYpLpDZDzGGaPdSta-AtDoIf3RjPoWQTMa3jE84Gy-7rB/s0/IMG_8564.jpg" title="IMG_8564.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 8618" border="0" height="868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLleuW82VMxlK-goOuNzNV5XM0yS6I-epbpFdXmlj7P4MqwYQ4RfAlrBsi8K8uli4Znfp91yMTMHeZFdUB5CnhCo7y87VFec_bp9t2axbC9zdWl5OzBgRLnDkfUYsA9VQXlydlebqEJUt8/s0/IMG_8618.jpg" title="IMG_8618.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<img alt="IMG 8723" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYOZc6XDrqui_MdGiV7LJol5zdJDNy_UES7dknXHMuy0htu0P_CMkextSzulF61IRfCYTjc7q3zQ-KH6DrEgsWuw2mA9YBOVJTTUp5jCNEKsPvgg1CVFWEe4Kv6hMioQ6AM2e7KWY3s6G/s0/IMG_8723.jpg" title="IMG_8723.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8740" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJj1Z258ELMS2lTLcHvUjOeqe9pq84Hfu1BRxSxPIozZGmHsYDbBI9OAvMdXOLIReu3dXgnU-ldFWbp-dkJcg5940uORQnKS6blRVhXDD_54__YNz1KbcwmhAw4nSRRh0spltUssxw13p/s0/IMG_8740.jpg" title="IMG_8740.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
i'd love to hear about <i>your</i> favourite christmas traditions! tell me about them in a comment!<br />
<br />
happy christmastime to all!!!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-26299594488346732852018-12-07T14:13:00.002+00:002018-12-07T14:13:58.314+00:00christmas is coming!<img alt="IMG 8648" border="0" height="890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoBHzspbJ7-mIesiAs_a8J9suWnha80AxoL-pBCACxlXea3o-cLNGDSeowHhkYwFOeeX1rZLPkX0JI221lnQn7OFnxbbdPo9LXbkFfVAKd0TQO5ZYXoyTbW98Ji3QwWm6t3LdO17uEQll/s0/IMG_8648.jpg" title="IMG_8648.jpg" width="650" /><br />
<br />
it's the most wonderful time of the year - hurrah! we have begun celebrating in earnest. on 18 december, gabriel and i fly to arizona for my nephew's wedding, and we return on the morning of christmas eve -- so i am making sure i get in all the immediate family and london festivity i can before then. i have been so on top of christmas cards and christmas presents and have decided to forgo some christmas traditions in order to really enjoy the ones that mean the most to me in the limited december days i have at home.<br />
<br />
here's some pictures of the things we've seen and been up to this christmastime so far!<br />
<br />
bits of fall lingered around the city:<br /><img alt="IMG 8281" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4hb7FBfYKReO2NMzvLq7rE-vLc6q_ZDA8s5jnhi8uVVPgyDRDIpykwd6JlpuNX-rMfd0FlZSft050S9QEJq08zOFTFzSkgZkyhlqF-B2LpmOaaLPq4ucaGB_IZCjz9d0cEDhyphenhyphenXpK1dVj/s0/IMG_8281.jpg" title="IMG_8281.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8283" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOIQs9tpYfgCm2TFgmEF2ZL8JMKow3L1xaXXXi9oxfiUDgi853xEKDRwykYm89F4ZXSG5DqrNctNI0YRNvIMTnMY-KtRy2DJdUGb1rTXoGEGoA3RteFtBA2Q_0qUsTru69Gejmk50y3qi/s0/IMG_8283.jpg" title="IMG_8283.jpg" width="323" /><br />as the city sidewalks got increasingly dressed in holiday style:<br /><img alt="IMG 8300" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zEe3FjuZIZJzzDts2EVDtGX8B5N-XpzdcQissHbIUCgpNJl-7TElsYr2WMjbZH6ZQs3X_xrptSCcMXkvM1swg0vGITncsub4gt3DKAdlh65kTCetJiCwj7d7w1_GlahKj_xv_gGu-LsN/s0/IMG_8300.jpg" title="IMG_8300.jpg" width="650" /><br />we went to get our christmas tree last friday evening with our friends that live around the corner from us. moses had a blast running around the tree lot and we were so glad to have a bit of help getting the tree home on the tube this year :) we went with a little bit smaller tree this year. we loooove having it up in our big bay window.<br /><img alt="IMG 8323" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAnlAt7BQBGRwH3W_vLa3c7m2UEbR0rpOW9DiC-gUG6JNT4ZDt2OX7BotcJJClTh2EZvcM0NUxgWCSlDy2yi-3fKw5dxkrh9UrjWBQe1cb0xpxS5ISxLjK8xwkMpHDtIO32H-VZ_vH9sD/s0/IMG_8323.jpg" title="IMG_8323.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8321" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7ncy5ah2mEBI5x0m-CwOEdsogpT7OvEIyAAuUPk-1FItmpzl58bxMUjUBX7X8X8-71-OKDWG2lli1hvAKRMfLCclC5g8t6cvGbbYvKychIoNHTKJsUWhyphenhypheny6MiVQbIcIblP1HFozXqSOL/s0/IMG_8321.jpg" title="IMG_8321.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 8328" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9ETg77zu5O210in-5y2eIQJ0tTnN_89xDTLRI_CKHb9V7D15bM9dBmCHnx_oLGkjDO7TErQkboESvTRsIoaGlm-DXy8VLvc0zPPqWHlsZz_opMsunxxr-HPMXifpKCniAGKWt4YAuJvK/s0/IMG_8328.jpg" title="IMG_8328.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8331" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtu_VzdvTASQBVWOP66oC1JFZBCE_WEUGe08Sa-SfiWUTHrvwIHIFekbOCYKm9cyR0Hr3h7Gz4aI_5Kw3cwDbwclSiN4-OeWVvVsSaRsVhd89JhJmy2PmrblOt0Ux6Ws0UbyLZp3Tyq0Z/s0/IMG_8331.jpg" title="IMG_8331.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 8360" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWuejSVrxwdOF8eD87jhw1wmFwqfTsVrtMXnrkbLym8Mi2fnX67KB1E-DRMKKBtH1xtRBdoOfFyWiKliOdN9ljGgk7phN9pRqEFGrF6-5AQNZvT_0-eRWfdpk0a7P8TO5CtFf__XMpnY_/s0/IMG_8360.jpg" title="IMG_8360.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8338" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEMzrPyyDbvwq4Evi718C1tUnvrwAVyQ2VeELA-P7ZSJtG3W6g9FxiYHsT67IBx7oRZej_9GN1kV1xUCfVBUhJ_Y0jgwLfVRZrYbDHWb_i88NGbfeUKi61GbngRNyNJbusdP5T-xJLRE0/s0/IMG_8338.jpg" title="IMG_8338.jpg" width="323" /><br />last saturday, after our ward christmas brunch, mo got to pick out something from the "<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/news/light-the-world-vending-machines-offer-chance-to-give-instead-of-get?lang=eng">giving machines</a>" in our church building ^^, and ride the carousel in front of the natural history museum:<br /><img alt="IMG 8342" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6jDSjslRKPrqNw3s8Gt4oU1NgyMJvye4zK8NBczq7-ZRPontDaHv6JFu_2sooqqJcXDrU18ur8j2zKCPKjg4v8ZivYzdXgzfiflSjU526JyVlzMzXAmnJUicF49NCRcWzVOnNktJgnIt/s0/IMG_8342.jpg" title="IMG_8342.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 6359 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlsyTOUvmoj7t8X1SLvj3wqn1WAgPA96aRmOARLPDNH6ZEsxyTWEqjealYE5-Qz-VfhIgrJbm6gKojH76_sykccdEC3QoxEcLIlbsNderf3vgVwVy9cGxSkTuYXT16P0enD_E-VAHLf7p/s0/IMG_6359-001.jpg" title="IMG_6359-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />we went as a family to the christmas market along the thames near tower bridge:<br /><img alt="IMG 8347" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNJipMxtn05ehSW4lOGAfzV1GoAlB5OmrrVuOglBQW4f82cCslfaMpr_PaKjYURPDPUcwNMvUlAcWG_d2FX7JesRqMhUPSX-MtQZy1AqGs57n4VWLrQz3TuwKcQOez_CCGmmOFDlNYxnj/s0/IMG_8347.jpg" title="IMG_8347.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8351" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3f71EndKdqYG4mdcSe8EDdWcvMXTZAEnOt0NYeG7lFYBTD7k6PvPOrl-gbXbt_Agwo2cjN7BXzaNrPGSajZZm0Meoua9pCUjQoKgpxev7lwZqfzNawMbVWr4U9v5mBLsjhBV74JdGPmt/s0/IMG_8351.jpg" title="IMG_8351.jpg" width="323" /><br />moses was pretty amazed by the candy stall!:<br /><img alt="IMG 6365 001" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxCxJWyP9GqkeIvDDsOo4kKMtqE_m2gJ2dCSu82RhAIhLbkpIuTgYxlvy5OXqc472MD-FFFyAPuj-nRz1zmcmacEXejc-fGo2rkl-rF0Yl35BdF0pjd-TnByUk8lyT_8QvlzXpDvN7gfh/s0/IMG_6365-001.jpg" title="IMG_6365-001.jpg" width="650" /><br />the boys spent most of a day this past week at the childrens' centre at ian's office. this picture gabriel got sent home from slayed us with cuteness:<br /><img alt="IMG 8371" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw8tOleCem_wyrY9eI6Dx88LYFbmPZjTAyhCh4oK-v3oZpT81AGjPwpk66KkZp4L1R7kmyG6xpgfYMXVDiOLwRZsrtkhrsJu-XdJJMSAPf0RC44PPuOYf-NqEpcreU-BdN35tCttM0jPT/s0/IMG_8371.jpg" title="IMG_8371.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8640" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-RUsDCmGRoQ1IEeIwd5hf-CbLXJBbXfJUhGCTbreeRYjIqyrMFR-nWyqZZPiyaA7wDgWVWVlipDwcQjII70-NMN8h676tVoxNKZ3Yt4qWvU2Qx2tRYaROn63brxFA4nqXg4FDuO_esJp/s0/IMG_8640.jpg" title="IMG_8640.jpg" width="323" /><br />looove this yellow wreathed door, and always love those dang bread ahead donuts!:<br /><img alt="IMG 8376" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKMikX3uIJfLoIalaxJ-HLRRhOZu9Qjbn6gD7TGKRBiWvAHeclsrAFy9up9ujYfAhb-GS-ntmVgbThz_4lEO6XTCdgRSunh2PjGE1MA0An6B6TlBjp91b7_OYNFw1Rlj_EV0E6IUUuUWo/s0/IMG_8376.jpg" title="IMG_8376.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8378" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PkhhDVGTGgnEIbXeD9l84dGqj_4M7PnDgO7ajUkmFSh8KaYGvMeVfPd6a4ysgzmNTP_CdD0TgCmYmhsnaNAHrnh3C9n0ap0K-_XKF3UnH04E5CiHGPFtrt25axbZfz50p1yNvXDwbmO9/s0/IMG_8378.jpg" title="IMG_8378.jpg" width="323" /><br />flowers at liberty and last autumn leaves:<br /><img alt="IMG 8382" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_EWfe4MMUki4IFvw9LHPYg0G8RJmuuaNioczpn_Ye5zDEohywi1ZUia66fORwmmCrlqAdXJJ5X6Trg1AKiFCXeRZPKiHUYwqkmZz8uq3Y9A10zJs03C-aBhok_fcf0Htdte4QECvh2bk/s0/IMG_8382.jpg" title="IMG_8382.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8641" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQX2fi70N1HD_cTK5pmmVZIhe2amGU7kijB_RJr1ItohcJBQzio9GnTPbniN2FBWSLRz8EKgijbAVoBnToPtD3lHB6VuHdzFpuTV2_L4yCw5uGQroat1t4vlzJVQgFlmPmyipx3-dFhCu/s0/IMG_8641.jpg" title="IMG_8641.jpg" width="323" /><br />there's this one tree on our street that gifts the sidewalk the most spectacular leaves every day. i love it so much. and i'm obsessed with this little elfin sweetheart:<br /><img alt="IMG 8632" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4am2I3bTY9TwO9PwNhKYlQuYCJeArb7jL2fMUDQabHAkQeKsUNfuDZe9yLpqLSh5MvQ8qUUJLZEfoMKaiUb_9RMJ54b4zUDbzFinP8QA9Yl1Z6O4V1PRakduZIoBVgTNeOhx657LbX52/s0/IMG_8632.jpg" title="IMG_8632.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8634" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSBibgsA7FZk0J-ryEvhEPmSuAuWF4_NbY5saqNuSNoXwJr-oiy3sQbwbePVG6tGqGvo4sgGGWvc0-rj8a9kJn_J2t18duPh1laovS_DNOvBLsSr8GPaBV2LxRoEq1mJt9kdNKvCk-Xq3/s0/IMG_8634.jpg" title="IMG_8634.jpg" width="323" /><br />more fading fall and christmassy awesomeness (seriously, london <i>wins</i> at christmas):<br /><img alt="IMG 8645" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUTvJSISHg0zekDrtmuOx1_SgEMdqQR1XiqpXf9P48RmERDCf_XwOM9JIgKUfoMKU8Bb-cZYN00yE7r9XCfWNxovkcAfIWz_oOiwRI9toRA1FpOXeZvEN4RalDblSKgha-smgQzc8TrZB/s0/IMG_8645.jpg" title="IMG_8645.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8691" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAFsccjr3XCFU3SoLW1lnhqX-N1Ka2xIqCCAqjRGBDEyGShOLOdhUM2Bbpv24D4sKAKWsCYydwse9BPPLD2y2AlN9EZRNtL0khW2LuBB5uAgTWZNyjviyw2VLqTa8Ss0YhLOZjPFQnEwn/s0/IMG_8691.jpg" title="IMG_8691.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8719" border="0" height="879" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRyn5BnTwS8XkLecAf_2vKeiNs3zsWnpIbx_kpJbgb30_zicODEMRivVwostFdMjJjVbE_fDpmb1byXnb5yUxg4rHQIVCSpqaDR8M6glovbQ47-s2h6WNeipRRmMSh6sHc0RpbYjPJzi_/s0/IMG_8719.jpg" title="IMG_8719.jpg" width="650" /><br />we had to visit this display ^^ both at nighttime and during daylight hours!<br />gabriel has continued to drop percentiles in weight. we found out a few days ago that he is now on the 0.4th percentile - woah! so our tiny boy has been getting a lot of food lately ... and he is <i>loving</i> it! (can you tell? haha):<br /><img alt="IMG 8650" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ2MDvkn5TCJZ6-5aePl9QTrHZKUaM9OSc5b6-52LyHTAAS0ivyrxc4O1veNBCMQIFn5c1T0tpkzIjyu3kZlU3iXt5HgxWEbZA8aE-3MItyNasvuhAUJuakgfb7qb7qG08yXJvz5Cn071/s0/IMG_8650.jpg" title="IMG_8650.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8652" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5PboXq9VV7whmMy-w4uEz0xsdWXMWEFjB8tuiwatT5QiuTysSI3de7C0O5lHWBRPJ8ncvvAcWwULSdcuFaiBTVv2a3HUrFs3HBUnH0x6PL6c7FpelBvIm8d88McxcphMDodWDrqxr4pg/s0/IMG_8652.jpg" title="IMG_8652.jpg" width="323" /><br />we aren't too worried, but just working on beefing our angel gabriel up a bit!<br />moses adores our christmas tree:<br /><img alt="IMG 8659" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5db8FG-hFzmybWcUyrVhwqlwB9BIek6fPAUJypUtNnMCMpePlwyZYxrknktt64mVKXgwNDAw3iSmIQjk8gjLFXOVwHsYoQz4X8Y6TIywS6HwKHQ9pd3FY0jNBJOTEBtYOIFgVlnebsf7F/s0/IMG_8659.jpg" title="IMG_8659.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8665" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P0fsBYt_Ox_NiFe6Enb7wGpy6WqO10et0f_pNcO8DIcYHgKuTFS7j8h9odLhcz9Whyphenhyphen0HMqSxDLuh98hRc_3Dw1RF9IyG5IXwoxij-2im8M4lCxNLefPntQO9EYQgWCSoOaFrUVBLy6ja/s0/IMG_8665.jpg" title="IMG_8665.jpg" width="323" /><br />and gabe has pretty much mastered sitting up on his own!:<br /><img alt="IMG 8675" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEh52iOJsittC0Pr3-nkXq5WOwZ3lPG5L7R9iECgY95rSShKem7KqSFrMfiZMHwCm6rCLbFmhkzbTbCdfaCuzQ80_AzuEWrbYUDzvsoZ72F52rknBjpM3mxZEVVhGbKefwlYgWICqJ8Ee/s0/IMG_8675.jpg" title="IMG_8675.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8682" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjCApYOB7mVBNK0A1NTGiuZgAKziH5mD9lS5o_cBJXO4RxRgrl4Sq083-hGq_r6IbR9jyEfeCjBWad1pnS2Wk3gtedQjn8ll7zsicYuQpdSnjbxuqiNRml7Szh8HC_WcCjUTGD0L3XHxQ/s0/IMG_8682.jpg" title="IMG_8682.jpg" width="323" /><br />last night i took the boys to the lighting of the christmas tree at trafalgar square. i've been to this event every year that we have lived in london and i love it. there's a beautiful band and choir that makes gorgeous music and the story of this tree is just amazing. every year a pine is cut down in the forests near oslo and brought (in one piece!) to the heart of london. it is a gift from norway to great britain as a token of gratitude for assistance in the second world war. this has been happening annually for seventy one years!<br /><img alt="IMG 8783 001" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBTkJUEnBq7w1AW_WIjGnXi7T2EWOOKaUI0WftqDhVCQ0MCitryqzxNt3uvOEXI8Wt88lXvg7XW2cQh2lVdIbu1ySDUFc9HlFlpBFmvxxeubaDZyePyAaEqof47ZKlj5kHZevt1wXfN6g/s0/IMG_8783-001.jpg" title="IMG_8783-001.jpg" width="650" /><br />our experience at the tree lighting this year was a bit wild - there were a few minutes where i was wrangling both a screaming baby and a yelling toddler in the sprinkling rain amongst sea of people trying to hear the program and enjoy the event. but it was all worth it when the big crowd all joined in singing "o come all ye faithful" as the hustle bustle of this big, vibrant city continued around the square. it was pretty magical and really kindled my christmas heart.<br />we walked to the tube via the amazing angel lights of mayfair:<br /><img alt="IMG 8791 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZgTuZDJgLoVAXic4aaBoUuxhwK1ymYsm-TmdeEWZITVKryPHHaj1Oa8JFoWZCVpJiw_inaKWX4uokq3DEmPi1cSTKqkogQFH5GDVhkoc95QWiNv8WGZKLcIsrwsJp34L59ipoOTdexWy/s0/IMG_8791-001.jpg" title="IMG_8791-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8795 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC5H3DSgf9J2Aok8I4R1ilgU5B_6IKxFbkBlnywBHVEXO6MgJE8Xgf3UmAwqtj4z5WpL_ZsfZDdZNJggKsH8tI6G5iwUHnvQscS_tIqEa7FvpsCU7sneKA_7_aQUJmyt_8-UtonBOHx58/s0/IMG_8795-001.jpg" title="IMG_8795-001.jpg" width="323" /><br /><img alt="IMG 8801 001" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOD3Z5TKd-VImX8ZsBsahgPHKiu53IdSZpRP09QTEeOGw2fEEcRiVLwMJACwqUFACkNCOZKuA1E-nbG9tl_kk9W8moauQaouu4ph8xWmHP4yACXuJhUIndSDX5FVVzxh0d-0HrapDj7Bc/s0/IMG_8801-001.jpg" title="IMG_8801-001.jpg" width="324" /> <img alt="IMG 8782 001" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG1hgryF5B8Bm7WY07ezW9SEFvmfyDlOrdWi7N-HTdJhTVR0AwE1rhzb_1OQvkaNuAO7uvEqW76hunsOWfm_VUFh3vootI2pSU4wKj_o_MXIxjfZlbXe-jHPn04jXU80KDmT_rjmBzyne/s0/IMG_8782-001.jpg" title="IMG_8782-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />gosh, i love london. especially this time of year.<br />here's the gorgeous exterior of a home in chelsea, and the cozy (and a little bit messy!) interior of our home in kensington. so grateful to live where we do.<br /><img alt="IMG 8742" border="0" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-RveuyKoudzFWek3ZjWs0FfK0CprgDOMsdvlqfSdFOGpkjyjdKn2i0zobitRtg2hMeJT3WD2F5dIuQfsS2mOxabz_lTp0OuHyAxKBS8oaRW3zMrzgDp3T2cM1DrwZWocdZShIEUwxrhE/s0/IMG_8742.jpg" title="IMG_8742.jpg" width="293" /> <img alt="IMG 8771 001" border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22jdCnrF7xDwEOoJkJr9tPIzQ4TjuNhd3k09UElA1aKqD4I8SLEkzmX9s5bVd89pCBIG6e479eL4D6iYAvD5lAobGujarai3eaFDcv7B7rXOHp4GwDflxQxEDQw6l7HD4xgJkAolqGpb0/s0/IMG_8771-001.jpg" title="IMG_8771-001.jpg" width="353" /><br />
<br />
happy christmastime to all!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-37770223848403716992018-12-04T21:55:00.000+00:002018-12-05T10:43:06.828+00:00wreath making!<img alt="IMG 8267" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAscTJBzcEZySMMMLOk7Cwe20x3vo155NjTR-tRaHdtTkzw_ZhT_P-Uva9JV-4dRQT0V3CPbfCHmmlelXPI6iCwfWHFQykw8QCgsG48txNX-BnBTMWtHhnuRCVuEzjrqmrX5ZbcWq4-_qk/s0/IMG_8267.jpg" title="IMG_8267.jpg" width="380" /><img alt="IMG 8271 001" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9imzQVm1ez-xK4hdFMQRhICsiu0ZuX6YCxluKK9HnILM5-cpT3xqICaW2807IRqtPMdfryOZix7aOskaAxLVRVo7U_lGttvxBlKq4EhWNJgqkGNCnFuNi96K-InHkw0gxZJyiCBVkGzeP/s0/IMG_8271-001.jpg" title="IMG_8271-001.jpg" width="271" /><br />
last monday, i hosted a wreath making workshop at our flat! it was <i>such</i> a lovely evening with a bunch of lovely friends ... and a <a href="https://www.flowerandpress.com/">florist</a> who (we learned at the end of the event) had worked on the royal wedding!<br />
(i had been to a wreath making event with this florist a couple of years ago and asked her to come lead a workshop in my home.)<br />
<img alt="IMG 8235" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3S9e0hN46Qyzs6x4Kh0lar2tlwyIFUxlZhda8gKoSUM9qJ4My5r3CPilYshg4eIhZlEbFk_uSna4Sj8BAQMC5txiRtBf3ZfIRRNEKOa69LooxieiEyHs2mPr_sPP2YhTWcMMm7Mo-EP1/s0/IMG_8235.jpg" title="IMG_8235.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8248 001" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXthVtH8VZfZiyDSuPsZO1W-fD4AkHTfPw88LzrCcComOdWQg0SNGsRCk0H1sVUCdF7H8K0T_tmkV67jwMHEIjV_WFA3LIfQwcGkpKmmp9Xc5BJIHUAFXEQVUiD00jYQhE_OoFm0bXVAnN/s0/IMG_8248-001.jpg" title="IMG_8248-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />i wish these photos could capture the <i>smell</i> of my living room! it was divine with all that pine along with cinnamon sticks and dried fruit!<br /><img alt="IMG 8254 001" border="0" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTUl2tVMBFt9QnrvvwIjVf39wYM60-JlcmzXY4w_5M4QfOFE7eWM5cSvhzamokLrsNGxHCqa4u_KSlS3iqN38fjMS29zVsfMTfyoxN5KkQBAz-rD1zKMaE4o9pq3CuKWmJUe-KQ2me9aJ/s0/IMG_8254-001.jpg" title="IMG_8254-001.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8249 001" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKu5F5S14JyfJw3r_e4qJe_gDhJM56w7QDgXENtYFRWO78mULapZYASh1_mJk1_mqjgMSjSlr7PlWgAoajY4cPzr5fNhygMpj9xk0A52Aw14jzTzs_oBicDJvAs7cvAJzI20plqDYsQWa/s0/IMG_8249-001.jpg" title="IMG_8249-001.jpg" width="323" /><br />my cute friend kami had to leave early (before we took a group photo) so i made her pose for a quick pic before she headed out ;)<br /><img alt="IMG 8251" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ644DgKYVx-RsRPJb0mfeF-_fvxbznx_gSdL0pQHTyLnnak4PJ6xCMBCMoOc8VPgHrLFgD65vhYWJV_HkfoFVQjFVAU12QHvkPTwMbq0qnKg2l4ntQIKUZLysZRJVxBT88uHUSIaFoDzp/s0/IMG_8251.jpg" title="IMG_8251.jpg" width="650" /><br />i loved seeing how everyone's wreath turned out totally different but totally gorgeous. i felt full of love for these friends and for christmastime that evening. it was the perfect way to really kick off the holiday season.charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168799841998271534.post-16759153588208047142018-11-29T22:22:00.000+00:002018-11-29T22:22:36.035+00:00a quick weekend in switzerland<img alt="IMG 2261" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2OsUgf8Ws6z1UxeAO62GwcPGtwmjDlkhpapSs0lB_zfAR-ba5RjcogNG-eFtjeCnPrGb6r0qBHnTOB3XH8B0bypd0IBCYjdW5RrwrSoVj27i5DN4bPVkUdQN3oZ9c1n7rFVKqm_8Y7kC/s0/IMG_2261.JPG" title="IMG_2261.JPG" width="650" /><br />
<br />
a couple of weeks ago, we took a really quick trip to this ^^ beautiful place to spend time with these awesome people:<br />
<img alt="IMG 8071" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReObD3Fspw2fKwdeHC8ZgOodVDayYtABIrIcpgqlfpAHOL2lUlWV4ef6OVY-WxNmnS3C6EUmwxfgguhkM1RangX2os3JT7_qok5xQOVlr5T0NVShAHK9hF9MZz3bgwBAZrZemFrHVMUP-/s0/IMG_8071.jpg" title="IMG_8071.jpg" width="650" /><br />my brother, sister-in-law, and niece! (this selfie is pretty awesome in how awful it is, haha! ^^)<br />
<br />it feels sooo good to have family somewhat close. yes, we live a two hour plane ride + two hour car ride away from each other, but that's pretty dang close when the rest of our family members are at least an entire ocean away! and in our book that's close enough for a thirty-ish hour trip over a weekend - just to be with family.<br />
<br />tal and anita recently moved further from zurich and nearer to the mountain town where anita grew up, and we were so excited to see their new digs. we spent the majority of our weekend in switzerland just hanging out at their awesome place:<br />
<img alt="60c69c6b 97c8 49a4 af7c 3a6542e55144" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtz2AybpUey0f3sMWLu7jjgmM66ImFNwXgq8HygPYP9c9JktP6FwkXn7SL_kHdWb9UwJKWkFOkOJhU4El-OW9mbS043Qy5k8QN8hiNdSlQqSN2L14uR76dEiefP3a1fjSTh-Jn_JUC0sR/s0/60c69c6b-97c8-49a4-af7c-3a6542e55144.jpg" title="60c69c6b-97c8-49a4-af7c-3a6542e55144.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="B1f302ac cbaf 458d 9c5e f07a5c592d4a" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOBlcmBweHFrzRP_24jJaBfgBiD__yT1hQ9En8eFdyJ_0LW9k-2Zv4bLc8E7LXOANjgVcb8TqvNcUq8P2u0rkWl5OkwPJhAvYn95xIEqnMtlEvEUBVUIqI2Sz6DBRkhp5m5fULaM0do6K/s0/b1f302ac-cbaf-458d-9c5e-f07a5c592d4a.jpg" title="b1f302ac-cbaf-458d-9c5e-f07a5c592d4a.jpg" width="650" /><br />...and taking in their incredible view, which you get a glimpse of in this random photo:<br /><img alt="B412f46d 4a85 48ca b71c cf68e30933e1" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRPgLtCUIW6oEDnCTwKYmETOi3MGDNWkIkZPN5Hc1UxcgUNVXIgg_9trChSjC8Wo2kup_0pX261JG4XILVtUSMUPqIFax2mgH_7zaFsR-1EY-QRDMPu5Ig4kEQmcZQxnDlclufMnXKwg4/s0/b412f46d-4a85-48ca-b71c-cf68e30933e1.jpg" title="b412f46d-4a85-48ca-b71c-cf68e30933e1.jpg" width="650" /><br />i can't believe i didn't get a good shot of it. it's astonishing - they have these huuuuuge sliding glass doors that open to a balcony that hangs over a breathtaking mountain vista. (ps - i feel like gabriel and i look alike in this photo that tal snapped! ^^)<br />
<br />
we did take one outing together on saturday, to tal's favourite mountain lake, crestasee. man did it feel good to be out of the city and in the mountains. i couldn't get over the gorgeousness of the frost on the ferns, and the textures and colours of the forest, and the crystal clear reflection of the mountains in the crystal clear water.<br /><img alt="IMG 8030" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv1W4BEOEVimcDq0AN-fdki44HmDgRjFqeRpi2TxCko2Ql9VJq9EoZUF3X8zrxk9h5opWCvdLxMWYHt0gLWAfcA95TlfLE9PqxDIlLeTPUklUAlCtlU9LfDsM0j5w-R5HxwAf99Dl0HSx/s0/IMG_8030.jpg" title="IMG_8030.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8046" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC4RuybuGlu-QrndWaZN2w7a1TJvhp7j_Hvj-WEmePx1fDG29xs47FZ5sqrLxhMt17ywT2Zd2zyxGayQQzWVYb6udTAZTRXSyKl_YzeuM_2TmWfDhiUWnqAXJ8fLhDKkpN59OcjQqhjKo/s0/IMG_8046.jpg" title="IMG_8046.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8034" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tmO9dYQ6DZc1OJv9f9AuSUuxDaBkzsxJTrBpa3DV755vVX32ZVy3yLloBr9aYwME_YUYGzD6rYBxTq7l7NXAlQzmSHPwi71a2I9jP40BUSoHc8zIfTaKxdYvJhgj4lrYUKw72RFY7zJD/s0/IMG_8034.jpg" title="IMG_8034.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8069" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKACzO4Hs3nnwSEbfpuKO3kQhChsldn2ruljVJ4YVvKIZsVaBMjVJCisl7h8u42c7tzTrj1UCy2JPiwxwuA8NH7srzix-HEgrR0G0VGae8_BAnHjdI2Lx12IO-kekcki8txHDXsyb7WoL9/s0/IMG_8069.jpg" title="IMG_8069.jpg" width="323" /><img alt="IMG 8072" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAt0tC1qKL_uDZfb-3s2dHyGef5X6yXupVFKplGTgnJ7VPFVaRvHsdrPWWgvg6X8hwtRUP4suWDdVNCDq-YncshVtwjP6tHIDItLvMPsk9d32F4VMnZ6ATlJrJIRZ1M3Jf0MnoMIk6Kffx/s0/IMG_8072.jpg" title="IMG_8072.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 8099" border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUPXfjBy10Ki1kM64yeZaoYs_xvwzRWhGANgph-QUAJ77TNuKoc3ux-_yqv13iY_2Z-HDS-J5BvuRIzQVgoAFKmAV928AQZ36G366M9Ovc1TdGbtihKI5xGBc3ngUh94lT8vpIicCA0_9/s0/IMG_8099.jpg" title="IMG_8099.jpg" width="650" /><img alt="IMG 8059" border="0" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3gzvv9ZUQLuBCZCxmfwGzQpU7UJdRR1I6x-wuQzMOau3A2ePRHnAbqGKPil_hIIkPKvBTdnjV_-F5BCZ9O2u1bHUVLTUQkrPxUxWTlqQolO2ggj0XKkQh1cVeEnlOPQJ0hdm60eutBeB/s0/IMG_8059.jpg" title="IMG_8059.jpg" width="650" /><br /><img alt="IMG 6326" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiyfGQWsdyDpOdfhQWhF7QlMgOdJPUwtlfMgusV3Vjm_YaZsVQuGU42bs9uq6712WQNO9XWOpQCR2wTs2Vvn72fm5EHAlc_2atUyHuGgrO6-NSBSr0Qwhfjwdljsl2buYNT_2Q5agM91m/s0/IMG_6326.jpg" title="IMG_6326.jpg" width="323" /> <img alt="IMG 8103" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTymZyZ9FtPqk9zQj7I0DxFBJKhR-VtCrYEHTiECy1xw4hBdi5BTc7iy6QYIIx7SG0xsSqML3ayiOeY6mMCdfUTLZnbUesbwIhGhQ27bsSBdY_exQeF3HPcijDpfHhoD8B57wXSqmwLQ9p/s0/IMG_8103.jpg" title="IMG_8103.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
this trip was so quick, and included a delayed flight, a two year old barfing in the car, and a seven month old waking every hour or so through one night. but it was <i>totally</i> worth it. because it also included a stellar late-night deep conversation, moses literally jumping up and down with glee to be playing with his cousin, a simplified thanksgiving feast with <i>family</i>, outrageously gorgeous nature, lots of giggles and hugs, and just being with some of our most beloved people on earth.<br />
<br />
until next time, schweiz!charity eyre wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497155833888120008noreply@blogger.com1